Ash Wednesday 2014

Ash Wednesday 2014 – Fr. Charles Johnson, O.P.

Gospel reading:  Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

      I like to ask seminarians that I meet what are the latest books they are reading, especially concerning the study of Christ.  I quickly realize that the books on my shelf are a bit dated.  No doubt, the new ones of today will be passé tomorrow.   There is a need in the Church for our ancient Tradition to be given new dynamism.  Of course, the book on Christ has no final chapter; there is so much more to learn.

          In the letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul speaks of the “unsearchable riches of Christ.”  At the same time, in his message for this Lent, Pope Francis reminds us that “Paul also teaches that we were set free, not by Christ’s riches, but by his poverty.”

         In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul gives us the depths of the Lord’s poverty when he writes that Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself…” to take on our human condition and “humbled himself, becoming obedient even to death, even death on a cross.”  That’s poverty ….leading to the riches of eternal life. 

        By keeping up with new books and my own reflection, I’ve come to realize that the life and mission of Christ can be appreciated as one descent after another. It started as St. Paul describes, “He emptied himself …” However, it didn’t stop there. That was only the beginning.  It didn’t end with the cross and grave, either.

       The Lord’s descent continues, so that when we feel weak and lowly, we might truly discover him, not far away, but near.  Discover him in community and individually. In the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Jesus invites us to go into our “inner room” to pray, especially the inner room of our heart.  He has descended there so we might get to know what he sees and loves in us. Jesus calls us to our inner room so we might realize that we are not alone.  He calls us around his table so that we might discover the true remedy for loneliness … “Through him, and with him and in him” … and for us. 

      May all your Lenten commitments and sacrifices help you to discover Jesus present in your inner room and at his altar.   Blessings to you, your families and dear ones this Lenten season.