ASH WEDNESDAY – 6 March 2019

 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. This year Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 6 March, and will conclude on Holy Saturday, 20 April, the day before Easter.  On the Ash Wednesday the priest places the blessed ashes on the foreheads of believers participating in the liturgical celebration with the dictum "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 

This season of lent reminds the faithful the need of genuine repentance and return to the Lord with the practices of prayer, fasting and alms giving.  The Gospel of today Mathew 6:1-6, 16-18 lays down certain norms and cautions in exercising above said values.  Jesus cautions not to do the acts of charity to the poor, praying and fasting in order to draw public attention and appreciation but rather with the right motivation which alone will bring promised results of blessings and divine rewards.  During this season of Lent let us put into action what Pope Francis has asked the members of the Church.  He said, “Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch.  Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them.