Today is Ash Wednesday, the Beginning of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 40 days of Lenten Season. Catholic Christians and other Christians around the globe flocked to their churches today to receive the ashes from their pastors or parish priests (and designated parish leaders). As they make the sign of the cross with ashes (from last year's palms that were burned) to our forehead, they remind us by saying "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return."

Thanks to God, I received my ashes and Jesus (via the Holy Communion) when I attended the Mass today at past twelve noon in my parish. Just by myself. That't right, folks. My wife couldn't make it to church because she's at work, and from there she goes straight to her twice a week tutorial job in another school, after her regular work. Then, after that, she drives all the way to her twice a week part-time job, too, until nine tonight. (She's scheduled to work today in both her tutorial and her other part-time work, that's why.) Well, it's just up to our Gracious, Good God to understand her situation.

I've noticed that many people  came to my church today. That's good, I said to myself. Now, from our pastor's homily or sermon, one word that resonates into my senses is "Repent." (Yes, we're all sinners and we're so sorry for our sins and ,thus, we have to ask God's forgiveness and mercy.) Likewise, he discussed three important disciplines that we have to consider in observing Lent. These are prayer, almsgiving and fasting and/or abstinence. I remember, he also mentioned about sins of commission and omission.

In his booklet, Celebrating LENT(1994), Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv., wrote: "Today we call the forty days during which we prepare for Easter "Lent." This name comes from an Old English word that means the "Spring," for Lent begins toward the end of Winter and leads us into the season of Spring."

From the Lenten booklet, The Little Black Book (Six Minute Meditations on the Sunday Gospels of Lent-Cycle B), 2011, based on the writings of Bishop Ken Untener of Diocese of Saginaw, MI, and edited by Catherine Haven, during the ancient times,"many people used ashes for religious, magical and medical purposes. In the Old Testament, ashes were sprinkled on the head or over the whole body as a sign of mourning and penance. Receiving ashes on the first day of Lent is a practice that dates back to the fifth century, and by the 11th century was a universal Christian practice. During the Reformation, most Protestant Churches eliminated the use of ashes. In recent years, however, many of these Churches have resumed the practice." The booklet also mentioned Pope Urban (c.1035-1099) being credited with recommending that Catholics receive ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Furthermore, the booklet explained about the regulations on Lenten fast and abstinence: FASTING: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, those who are 18 but not yet 59 are allowed only one full meal. Two smaller meals are allowed as needed, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed. ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT: Those who are 14 years of age are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. If a person is unable to observe the said regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, other suitable forms of self-denial are encouraged.

Additionally, the Church no longer attempts to prescribe Lenten practices in detail. The above regulations simply highlight Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and other Fridays of Lent. The more fundamental obligation is to make Lent a penitential season practices that are adapted to one's own needs.

Well, folks, I do hope you had the time to visit your church and receive ashes and Jesus today. And, finally, I pray that you  have a renewed faith and rewarding Lenten season filled with hope and love.

Until next time around. Thanks for your time. May God bless you always!-chris .a.quilpa, 22February2012