Year A, Ash Wednesday
February 22, 2023
Year A: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 103; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
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I hope all Episcopalians are familiar with “An Invitation to a Holy Lent” in the Book of Common Prayer. It is a beautiful and inspiring invitation that captures the essence of the season of Lent.
This invitation reminds us of the importance of repentance, self-examination, prayer, fasting, and reading and meditating on God’s Word. We are invited to “turn to God with all our hearts” and to “give thanks to him who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Lent is a time to embrace spiritual growth, transformation, and renewal opportunities. The Scripture readings for today provide a framework for our reflection on the nature of Lent and the invitation that God extends to us to participate in this holy season.
The Book of Joel tells us of the need for repentance and turning toward God. “Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love”[1] This call to repentance is a central theme of Lent as we seek to turn away from sin toward God’s grace and mercy.
The Psalmist reminds us of the goodness and mercy of the Lord, who forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases.[2] We are invited to reflect on how we have fallen short of God’s goodness and mercy and seek God’s forgiveness and healing.
The reading from Corinthians reminds us of the challenges we may face as we seek to live a life of faith. The apostle Paul speaks of his hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and hunger.[3] Yet, amid these trials, Paul encourages us to trust in God’s grace and to continue to share the message of reconciliation with others.
Finally, the Gospel reading from Matthew offers us a paradox. On the one hand, Jesus admonishes us to avoid practicing our piety before others in order to be seen by them. Yet, on the other hand, he instructs us to “wash our faces” and not look disheveled when we are fasting, so we do not draw attention to ourselves.[4]
So how do we reconcile this paradox between the imposition of ashes and Jesus’ admonition to avoid outward displays of piety?
The key is in our intention. When we impose ashes on our foreheads, we must not seek to show our piety or righteousness to others. Instead, we must acknowledge our mortality, our need for repentance, and our dependence on God’s grace. Placing ashes on our forehead is a sign of how we are called to be in relationship with God. Our ashes tell the world we believe in Jesus Christ and give ourselves to Christ.
Furthermore, the imposition of ashes is more than an individual act; it is also a communal one. As we receive the ashes together, we are reminded that we are part of a larger community seeking to follow Christ and to be transformed by his grace. This communal aspect of the imposition of ashes reminds us of our unity in Christ, despite our differences.
Today, we begin a season of quiet reflection and listening to God’s spirit within for renewal, creativity, and joy. We know where the story ends – with mourning at the tomb. But we also know that it ends with resurrection.
So as we begin this season of Lent, let us embrace the invitation God extends to us. Let us turn towards God with repentant and contrite hearts, seeking God’s grace and mercy. Let us trust in God’s faithfulness, even in trials and hardships. And let us do so as a community of believers, supporting and encouraging one another as we journey towards the cross and the empty tomb.
Ash Wednesday. A day to stop, reflect on who we are, adopt an attitude of humility, and hit the reset button on our life in Christ. A day to remember that God loves us so much as to make sacrifices for us when we cannot do so for ourselves. A day to allow God in Christ to forgive us so that we might live the rest of our lives reflecting God’s love for us and all of creation. A day to remind ourselves to love God, love all others, and love all of creation itself.
We come to this table knowing that only One can truly work the miracle of reconciliation among us. Therefore, let us seek that One, God in Jesus Christ, with all our hearts. Amen.
[1] Joel 2:13, New Revised Standard Version (NRSV”)
[2] Psalm 103, NRSV
[3] Cf. 2 Corinthians 6:5-10, NRSV
[4] Cf. Matthew 6:16-18, NRSV