Reflection for the Beginning of Lent-2020
Written on: February 26, 2020
First Reading: Joel 2: 12-18
Second Reading: II Corinthians 5: 20- 6: 2
Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18
The Mass Readings for Ash Wednesday are quite familiar to all of us. The prophet Joel was sent by God to call the people to repentance and conversion. We are reminded that our return to the Lord must be a wholehearted inner conversion that is authentic.
The Gospel Reading from Matthew calls us to renew our commitment to live out the three works of mercy required by Mosaic Law: almsgiving, prayer and fasting. He reminds us that the practice of true piety is not to be done for “recognition” but “in secret.”
It does us well to take time to ponder these truths, especially as we enter into these next Forty Days.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, calls Lent a “season of grace…a path that leads to the triumph of mercy over all that would crush us or reduce us to something unworthy of our dignity as God’s children.” Pope Francis calls us to rekindle our hearts by taking the time to pause, see and return.
Pause
- from the compulsion to a fast-paced life
- and refrain from haughty looks
- and negative comments and stop the urge to want to control.
See
- the face of our families/community
- faces of the children and young people filled with yearning for a future filled with hope
- the elderly who reveal the living memory of our people
- the faces of the sick and remorseful
- see and contemplate the face of Crucified Love who continues to bring hope to ALL, without exception.
Return
- without fear to the arms of your Father who is rich in mercy
- and allow your hearts to be touched
- and experience the healing and reconciling tenderness of God.
When I served as a College Campus Minister our celebration of Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season was always Ecumenical at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The different denominations came together to pray for one another and share in the universal “sign of the cross.” We chose to focus on our similarities and not the differences. We were all seeking a wholehearted inner conversion.
It was inspiring to walk through campus on Ash Wednesday and see so many Young Adults marked with the sign of the cross on their foreheads…proud of their faith and love for Jesus. I am sure the witness they gave caused many of their peers to pause, see and, in many cases, return.
Sister Eileen Spanier, GNSH
12 thoughts on “Reflection for the Beginning of Lent-2020”
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Thank you Sister Eileen for your reflections. I immediately connected to “Pause”. Too frequently I am caught up in the “fast paced life”. I need to pause and reflect and learn.
“Refrain from haughty looks”–a phrase that caught me short. I read it again, and looked inside to notice the times there is haughtiness in my heart. I will keep guard on my heart, and my face, to curb any haughtiness. Thank you for the reminder, Sister.
Thank you Sister Eileen for sharing your Lenten thoughts with all. A great beginning of Lent and Ecumenical reflection of our faith and others.
Madeline Kearns
Beautiful reflection, Sister. Thank you.
Eileen, wonderful reflection.
I shared it with my community
Thanks!
Stephen
Thank you Eileen for calling us to pause, see and return as we begin Lent. Your students see a world without divisions- may our Lenten practices help others to see and live this truth.
Thanks, Eileen, for this thoughtful reflection. I especially like the invitation to PAUSE!
Thanks, Eileen! This is a timeless reflection and perfect for the beginning of season of Lent!
Thank you Eileen for your reflection especially sharing the reflection of Pope Francis. Pause. See. And. Return
Let us pray for each other
Thanks for your reflection, Eileen. The smudge on my forehead is almost gone – but I will try to pause and see, and hopefully, return to practices that I can too easily let slide at times.
Thanks for your reflection. Eileen. I especially like the reflection on Pause.- something I really need to take seriously. Have a blessed, grace-filled Lenten season.
Thanks for your reflection getting us off to a good start with the three directions—pause, see, return. It’s always inspiring to see all the smudged faces on Ash Wednesday. You are so right. We’re ALL seeking change of heart.