Ash Wed 17th February 2021. (episode: 279)
Readings for Ash Wednesday Mass -
First Reading: Joel 2:12-18
Psalm: Ps 50:3-6. 12-14. 17. "Be Merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:2
Gospel Acclamation: cf Ps 94:8 "Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!"
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6. 16-18
Homily
Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
Distribution of Ashes
Song
Prayer of the Faithful
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Id; 1189523149. Ashes in hand are prepared for the Ash Wednesday. By xmas_zest
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To listen to the audio recording of the readings, prayers and reflections for Ash Wed (episode: 279), please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-ep-279-ash-wednesday-2021/s-3Wa49uJAW8l
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Prologue: Welcome as we gather to mark the beginning of the season of Lent… 40 days of prayer, penance and self-denial (reminding us of Our Lord's forty days in the wilderness), and to prepare us for the renewal and new life celebrated in the Easter season. Because of Covid-safety.. the Vatican has adjusted the rite to accommodate this. "The words that are used explaining the meaning of our action with the ashes have not changed, but the moment when those words are said and especially the way the ashes are imposed will change,": "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and you will return to dust"." These words are normally pronounced at the moment of imposing the ashes on each of the faithful, but they will now be said only once before the distribution of ashes begins,- Then the action will no longer be to touch the forehead of the faithful by marking it with ashes," - The note indicates that the priest should not touch the faithful, but rather sprinkle some of the ashes on the top of people's heads," Interestingly, this is not a novelty. This method has long been standard practice in many Catholic areas, such as Italy, even in normal times. And sprinkling ahses on one's head as a sign of repentance and sorrow for sin, is also referred to in the old testament.(1)
Ashes , a symbol of destruction and death, are used as an ancient Judeo-Christian symbol of our journey to new life…. We use the ashes from old burnt palm branches that were used in the palm Sunday Masses (for us this year, since covid disrupted our usual liturgies last year, we use the ashes from the year before…. When we think about Lent, we generally think in terms of giving something up - a kind of 'dying' to self. But the readings for this day suggest that Lent is about beginnings: coming to new life, deepening our relationship with God and others, and transforming who we are and how we live.(2)
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Homily:
It has been said (somewhere by someone! – I cannot remember where I heard it) that it takes about six weeks for a new habit to become engrained in our actions… and its no coincidence that Lent is around that length of time… fostering and promoting good habits and practices that become so familiar that they become part of our daily way of acting…
Lent,is all about moving closer to our God whose very nature is love, compassion, generosity, self-forgetting… its moving ever closer to the heart and mind of Jesus…
Who is….
Love, given freely and without conditions,…..
Kindness and mercy, without expectation of return….
Acts of charity and practical compassion, not for recognition or approval but flowing from love alone…..
Random acts of kindness for which no one will ever know we are the instigators. (setting up a pattern not only for the 40 days of Lent but for every day of our lives after that....)
Lent is a time of renewal to deepen that extraordinary movement of the heart ever-closer towards God. Moving deeper into the Love of God which is its own reward.... Where we seek no other reward but to love God and be very close to God... and closer to one another. For the glory and praise of God alone…
This time of prayer, penance and fasting is still a wonderful, joy-filled time of self-denial and making space for God… fostering positive habits for the year-round….
Pope Francis once said, at a stations of the cross liturgy…. "The poverty of the wood, the silence of the Lord, his loving self-emptying show us the necessity of a simpler life, free from anxiety about things."
"The ….. ash, which we receive, is a subtle yet real reminder of the many things occupying our thoughts, that we chase after and worry about every day, nothing will remain….. Earthly realities fade away like dust in the wind,------Lent is the time to free ourselves from the illusion of chasing after dust," he urged. "Lent is for rediscovering that we are created for the inextinguishable flame, not for ashes that immediately disappear; /// for God, not for the world; // for the eternity of heaven, not for earthly deceit;// for the freedom of the children of God, not for slavery to things."(3)
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References:
Fr Paul Kelly
Read more at: https://international.la-croix.com/news/religion/vatican-issues-guidelines-for-the-imposition-of-ashes-in-times-of-pandemic/13633.
Taken From the resource -"Liturgia" Commentary section. © Copyright Liturgy Brisbane 2021.
https://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2019/03/07/lenten-fasting-is-a-wake-up-call-for-the-soul-pope-says/
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed Id; 1189523149. Ashes in hand are prepared for the Ash Wednesday. By xmas_zest
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
{{May God's Spirit of Wisdom and Awe abide in you.}}
(no penitential rite, as the ashes – given later – are the penitential act on this day).
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After the Homily -
(Just prior to the Distribution of Ashes - said once only):
"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."
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Memorial Acclamation
Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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Preface: Lent III
Eucharist Prayer II
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Communion side. pwk: LH
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{my heartfelt thanks for your participation in this time of reflection, prayer and praise.}
Dismissal:
Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
-Lenten Hymn: "Have Mercy," inspired by Psalm 50(51). Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2020
[ Production - KER - 2021]
May God bless and keep you.
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