I don’t remember the last time that Valentine’s Day fell on Ash Wednesday, but when you think about it, both have to do with matters of the heart.
Valentine’s Day is known for the romantic type of love with its gifts, flowers, and dinners, all of which somehow cost more right before and on February 14th! Still, it is a reminder that God has made us man and woman, each in His image, to come together in marriage and to share the love of God as husband and wife.
Ash Wednesday focuses on a different relational dynamic of love: one between God and us, His sons and daughters. And the cost is one that can’t be paid simply with our credit or debit cards or cash. What God wants bypasses things that can be bought and goes directly to our hearts. God wants our attention, time, and acts of charity toward those in need in His Name, so that we can experience His love for each of us and share it with one another.
Love Through Sacrifice
As I was writing this homily, I received some good news. A friend texted that her son, who’s been in the hospital with a serious condition, was well enough to come home and receive outpatient treatment.
This young man’s parents, siblings, girlfriend, extended family, and friends have been praying, visiting in person, and in contact by phone and text since he was hospitalized one week ago, uncertain about what would happen next.
Their focus, care, and faith have been inspirational and have caused me to reflect on how our love for one another and God can grow deeper in adversity and through sacrifice.
Today, Jesus is calling us to pray, fast, and give alms to grow in our love for Him and each other. No doubt you have done these three actions throughout the year; but, in Lent, there is a call from God to focus more particularly as my friend and her family and friends did for her son.
Our Lenten Journey
God knows how each of us is doing right now. In other words, He knows our starting point on this first day of Lent … our greatest needs, strengths, and areas that we need to change. He’s ready, and He wants us to join Him with our families and friends.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of our Lenten journey … a journey that we make each year with the hope of spiritual rekindling, rediscovery, and growth. It’s a time to let God into our hearts and minds without reservation or conditions, not knowing exactly where He will lead us.
Each Ash Wednesday, we hear the words, “Repent and believe in the gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust, you shall return” as we receive ashes on our foreheads in the sign of the Cross.
These ashes are dirty and dusty. Many times, they’re smeared and drop down onto our noses and faces when the priest doesn’t add enough water to them … but they are also a reminder of our need to be washed clean by Jesus and the finite nature of our time on earth. They are the reminder of the saving power and sacrificial love of Jesus given for us upon the Cross.
On this holy day of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, let’s begin together by opening our hearts and minds to Jesus so that He may lead us where we need to go—closer to Him, better able to love one another, beginning with our families.
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