{ Matthew 6:1-6 & 13-18}
Blessed Ash Wednesday, everyone. Today marks the official beginning of Lent, 2010. Put away the moon pies & Mardi Gras beads as Altar Guilds in parishes throughout the world dress altars in purple fabric & clergy prepare the palm ashes for use in the Ash Wednesday liturgy.
I am a high-Church Anglican who loves both Lent & Advent for entirely different reasons. One of the reasons why I love Lenten liturgy & Tradition so much is because my Presbyterian background had little, if any Lent. When I was a child, Lent to me meant fish fries at the local volunteer fire house every Friday. My Roman Catholic grandparents observed the ” meatless Fridays” during Lent but I never understood the reason behind this practice & surely did not know anything about fasting. Fish fries were, at least according to my child-self, were merely social occasions.
Today’s Gospel lesson has to do with what Jesus teaches about giving alms. As we journey with each other & Our Lord towards Jerusalem, let us be mindful of our Lenten practices.
As a Benedictine oblate, I am required to submit a Lenten Rule to my Abbot every Lent, detailing what spiritual practices & service I will do in the name of Christ as part of the Lenten discipline we catholic Christians observe.
Matthew’s Gospel lesson for today also discusses fasting & how we Christians are to approach our Lenten fasts. Fasting is a personal discipline which should be between the Christian & God. The Gospel tells us specifically that we are not to fast with sad minds & with half-a-heart nor is fasting supposed to be about gaining piety points with God.
Anglicans are not * required* to fast, but this part of our Church Tradition is one which I have found brings me closer to Christ. Small sacrifices during Lent also makes me more aware of how blessed we westerners are compared to other parts of the world.
I have been more mindful about my giving habits during Lent & not * just* mindful of my monetary tithing. During this season I shift my focus to becoming more giving of myself. Lent is not really about going without, but realizing how much we Christians have as heirs with Christ.
Amen.
Ash Wednesday 2010
Comments
I wrote a piece on fasting last year and will email it to you.