“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
that your fasting may not be seen by men…”
–Matthew 6:17-18
The Church begins the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday. Not only are the foreheads of Christ’s faithful marked but time itself also receives the ash stripes signalling a period of renewal and purification in the build-up to Holy Week. Rector John O’Leary remarked in his homily that the old English ‘lencten’ -from which we get ‘lent’- means ‘spring’. And whilst this has to do with the lengthened hours of daylight as winter gives way to spring, the Christian’s Lenten journey involves a flourishing of new life amidst the tradition of Pray, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
As each of us undertakes our respective Lenten Observances, the Lord Christ warns us not to seek the fleeting rewards of self-satisfaction and the vain. Rather, following the prophet Joel’s message we’re taught to ‘rend our hearts not our garments’ as we follow after Jesus and his forty days in the desert. In the later Rector’s Conference, Canon O’Leary reminded us about how God’s grace allows us to persevere and surpass ourselves without our own merit. As you pray for the seminarians, they will enter into a silent retreat and meditate on their respective Lenten Observances. May each of us seek to render our hearts, not to empty but to receive the fullness of God’s promises on this, the day of salvation.
Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Succour – pray for us.
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