Ashes! All of us are gathered here to receive ashes? Why?<\/p>\n
Is it because it\u2019s the thing to do?\u00a0 Is it because you long for something different, some change in life?\u00a0 Or is it because you hope the meaning of life will come into focus for you?<\/p>\n
When you receive ashes, you will hear these words: \u201cRemember you are dust, and to dust you will return\u201d.\u00a0 Yes, the real meaning of life in this world becomes blurred in the glitter and the attractions of the world.\u00a0 After the joy and celebration of Christmas, the Church reminds us that life in this world is not about self-indulgence; it is not about the joys and fruits of the world.\u00a0 All of that, good or bad as it seems, will end as it began for us- in ashes.\u00a0 And it is certain to end in ashes.\u00a0 So, what is life all about?<\/p>\n
Jesus spent 40 days just after his Baptism reflecting on his life and mission.\u00a0 His whole person was in turmoil- facing the promptings from the Spirit that told him what life in this world was really all about for him.\u00a0 But Satan tormented him with the other side.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to suffer; you\u2019ve got it Jesus; and I can make you anything you want; just worship me\u201d.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s the way it is for all of us too.\u00a0 All of us are tempted to make our lives comfortable; to focus on what\u2019s best just for me; rather than follow the tiny whispering sound of the Spirit working through our consciences to take up our crosses and follow Jesus.<\/p>\n
The Gospel we read provides us Jesus\u2019 advice on how to conduct our Lenten journey.\u00a0 It was based on his own 40 days in the desert.\u00a0 Find some time alone to reflect and pray.\u00a0 And divest yourselves of attachments to things of this world.\u00a0 He suggests three things.<\/p>\n
The first suggestion is to give alms.\u00a0 That means giving something to others.\u00a0 But you don\u2019t give alms to win points with those watching.\u00a0 Rather, you do it to help you focus on others, not yourself.\u00a0 Who or what is it that God is calling you to serve in this life?<\/p>\n
And Jesus advises us to pray in a quiet of space, not openly for all to see.\u00a0 Jesus is not against public and group prayer.\u00a0 That\u2019s not his point.\u00a0 His point is that when you need reflective prayer, and all of us do, then that prayer is not for show, for others to see. \u00a0Rather, it is for us to get in tune directly with God so that the Spirit can help us to focus on God\u2019s mission for us.\u00a0 Where can you go and when can you go there so that Jesus has a chance to touch you in that way?<\/p>\n
And lastly, Jesus advises us to fast.\u00a0 Again, not to call attention to our self- induced suffering and how holy we are; but rather, so that we divest ourselves of what is blocking our spiritual growth.\u00a0 Just what is it that is blocking your spiritual growth?\u00a0 What is it that is taking so much of your time, so much of your energy, or so much of your resources that you cannot hear your inner voice; you cannot focus on God\u2019s mission for you.\u00a0 Give that up for Lent rather than beer or chocolate or coffee or whatever.\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s TV or the Internet or, God forbid, Facebook!<\/p>\n
Lent is an opportunity to come to grips with the real meaning of your life so you are ready for the Resurrection and life everlasting in the Kingdom of God.\u00a0 Take advantage of the 40 days just as Jesus did.\u00a0 Or the ashes you receive today will have lost their meaning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ash Wednesday Service Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18 Dc. Larry Brockman Ashes! All of us are gathered here to receive ashes? Why? Is it because it\u2019s the thing to do?\u00a0 Is it because you long for something different, some change in life?\u00a0 Or is it because you hope the meaning of life will come into focus […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[391],"tags":[116,276,298,393],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=829"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":830,"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829\/revisions\/830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.deaconlarry.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}