Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk - March 1, 2017

Readings: JL 2:12-18; Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:3-4, 5-6AB 12, 14 And 17; 2^nd Cor 5:20-6:2; Gospel Mt 6:1-6, 16-18.

Theme: Lent: Of Dust and Us!

Beloved in Christ, the season of Lent is here again. There is no better time to begin this season of grace than on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 which invites us to march with the Lord for forty days through the observance of the three traditional spiritual acts of prayer, fasting and acts of charity, haven received ashes on our foreheads.

Traditionally, Lent begins at “Ash Wednesday” and ends at sundown of Holy Thursday. Since this is more than forty days, some contend that Sundays are not counted and that Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturdays are counted instead. Others say that it begins on the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday. Whichever is the case, the word Lent comes from the Middle English word Lenten which means springtime or the time of lengthening days. During this period, the official liturgical colour is violet - a colour that signifies penance.   

While many seriousness minded Christians view Lent as a moment of grace and spiritual rejuvenation, other lapse Christians see it as a disturbing period when they have to forego the pleasure of choicest foods and drinks and at the same time undergo the stress of attending the Via Dolorosa, that is, the Stations of the Cross. Against all misgivings, Lent is a Holy Season.

It is important to note that the 1983 Code of Canon Law prescribes abstinence and fasting for Catholics on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All Fridays of the year are days of penance. All persons who are 14 years old and older are bound by the law of abstinence on all Fridays that are not Solemnities. Indeed, this Lenten Season provides us with a tapestry of spiritual insights meant for our good. What does this portend for us?

Significance of Ashes: Throughout scriptures, (cf. Esther 4:2-3; Daniel 19:3; Jonah 3:6 and Matthew 11:21), ashes were used as a sign of repentance and penitence which indicate the fallen nature of man. By reminding us that “we are dust and unto dust we shall return,” the priest invites us to an act of self-emptying and self abnegation through the pious act of robbing ashes on our foreheads. Stephen Beale beautifully summarizes the significance of the ashes thus: “It’s hard to imagine a better way of to begin Len than this rite that recalls our origins and destiny, reminds us of our sinful nature and the hope of salvation, and points us forward to the crucifixion, which is the culmination of Lent.”

Prayer: What then is prayer? Someone has defined prayer as our own telephone conversion with God. Prayer is a moment of spiritual contact with our creator. Lent gives us such an opportunity to commune with the triune God in response to his commandments. In prayer, we are strengthened and better equipped to live out our lives as Christians. No period affords us this opportunity like the Season of Lent. 

Fasting: The spiritual benefits of fasting and mortification can never be overemphasized. Needless to say that Jesus fasted for forty days and nights haven gone into the wilderness before he began his earthly ministry. During Lent, we are encouraged to abstain from meat and alcoholic drinks as a way of spiritual growth. 

Almsgiving: The third spiritual act required of Christians during Lent is almsgiving. Instead of giving those who can give back to us, Christians are challenged to be charitable to orphans, widows, the aged, those in prison, the hospitalized and all destitute people. It is also a season to show acts of mercy to the countless Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in our country. 

Penance: Lent allows us the ample time to demonstrate our penance to God for all the sins we have committed through acts of mortification, abstinence and charity. Every Lent, you are supposed to give up something that you most enjoy like meat, alcohol, sweets and watching movies. Addressing sinful personal habits like masturbation, sexual immodesty, gossips and nagging is crucial to the Lenten Season. As Catholics, most of us were raised to “give up something” during Lent. These sacrifices are acts of penance akin to the repentance/penance of the people of Nineveh when the prophet Jonah preached to them. Our penance should necessarily include going for sacramental confession, prayer, meditation and reflection.

 

Aside from the aforementioned spiritual acts of mercy, during Lent, Christians are expected to attend the Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays and Fridays as it is being practiced here in the north. It is a call to travel back in history spiritually to walk with Jesus of Nazareth. Not all Christians will have the opportunity of travelling to the Holy Land but the Stations of the Cross helps us to locate ourselves as Simon of Cyrene, Mary Magdalene, and Joseph of Arimathea etcetera.

This prepares us for the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ which is climaxed through the events of the Holy Week. Christians are charged to use this Season of Grace to pursue acts of mercy which didn’t end with the closure of the Jubilee Year of Mercy last year.  Strengthened by the Eucharist and armed by fasting, prayer and almsgiving, the Holy Season becomes a platform for God’s grace which is released to Christians on resurrection Sunday.

By remembering the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness, we celebrate Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. As Christ’s faithful, we are called upon to dispose ourselves for a more fruitful reception of the sacraments and the graces which Christ unleashes upon us by His Paschal Mystery. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving will forever remain our spiritual tools for repentance and renewal. May this Holy Season enrich us in every way and transform our country into the new heaven and new earth which the scripture talks about. Have a pleasant Lenten Season.