Ash Wednesday 2023
Laura DeMaria
Happy Ash Wednesday! I realized today that it is a full ten years, going back to Ash Wednesday 2013, that I began my journey back into Catholicism, and to this moment as I write these words, here on a Catholic blog. I thank God for the gift of fidelity, and curiosity, and all the avenues He has opened up for me to learn and be with others as I get to know Him. I simply do not know what my life would look like, otherwise.
I attended a Stations of the Cross service this afternoon. There is something timeless about that tradition, where even if the words and reflections are slightly different from version to version, the eternal aspect is the same. These are real things that happened, these are the real last moments of Jesus’s life, which are engraved in time.
Yesterday, I spoke with John Morales and the Morning Air team about preparing one’s heart for Lent. It was a great conversation with a few ideas of things you can add, or give up, this season. Usually when I think of giving things up, yes I acknowledge we can do wine and chocolate and those basic things, but imagine if you gave up something that impacted, say, your ego. Or your own development of virtue. Like giving up gossip, or giving up having multiple browser tabs open! Focus.
You can listen to that conversation here.
I will leave you with something that was a part of my Lent a few years ago. It is a bit of scripture which, although I have never seen it on an Ash Wednesday, and maybe not even during Lent, it reads to me about the spirit of Lent - and specifically, of how we should approach God now, and always.
To keep the law is to make many offerings;
whoever observes the commandments sacrifices a peace offering.
By works of charity one offers fine flour,
and one who gives alms presents a sacrifice of praise.
To refrain from evil pleases the Lord,
and to avoid injustice is atonement.
Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed,
for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts.
The offering of the just enriches the altar:
a sweet odor before the Most High.
The sacrifice of the just is accepted,
never to be forgotten.
With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord,
and do not spare your freewill gifts.
With each contribution show a cheerful countenance,
and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
generously, according to your means.
For he is a God who always repays
and will give back to you sevenfold.
What a concept! Give, give generously, give generously and cheerfully - for that is how God gives to you. Meditation on God’s generosity in your life - now there’s a Lenten theme for you.
Be well! And may you have a fruitful Lent.