Ash Wednesday - A Symbol of Destruction & a symbol of Transformation

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - Ash Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 6:1-6, 16-18*

*First Reading : Jl 2:12-18*

*Ash Wednesday - A Symbol of Destruction & a symbol of Transformation*

*1) Ash on Ash Wednesday*

The first  Wednesday of the Lent, is called Ash Wednesday, because of the use of *Ashes* on this particular day 

So it is popularly known as Ash Wednesday and Ashes play a very important role and convey a powerful message to the Lenten season

*2) Two powerful meanings of Ashes*

*A) A symbol of Destruction*

Ash comes always after something is burnt. Without burning something there is no possibility of getting the ashes 

So the very fact there is ash in some place, it is a symbol that some destruction has already taken place 

*B) A symbol of Transformation*

Ashes always presupposes the existence of the fire 

Only after fire, there will be ashes. 

So, when something is put in the fire, it completely changes its very nature, and it takes a thing into another level of existence, that is the ashes

So the transformation from its existence to the ashes, which is seen as new existence

*3) Destruction and Transformation in Lent*

These are the two key words, which have deep meaning in our life 

Lent calls us to destroy the following things and tranform our life in this way 

Destroy Pride and transform into humility

Destroy Anger and transfrom into peace

Destroy Jealousy and transform to encourage one another 

Destroy Greed and tranfrom into generosity

Destroy Hatred and transform into love

Destroy Revenge and transform into forgiveness

Destroy Gossip and transform into facts and truth

Destroy Doubt and transform into belief and faith 

Destroy Duplicity and transform into sincerity

Destroy Hypocrisy and transform to become genuine 

Destroy Bodily pleasures and transform to souls comforts 

Destroy Desires of the flesh and transform to practice self control 

*4) Instruments needed for Destruction and Transformation*

The Gospel of the day gives us three important instruments 

*A) Prayer* One of the powerful and non replaceable instruments 

There is no alternative for prayer. So we are bound to use this instrument. 

The more we use this instrument, the more we are transformed

*B) Fasting* Another important instrument, which works very powerfully in creating a self discipline and change 

More than fasting from various food items, fasting from our bad and evil effects is more important and recommend

*C) Almsgiving* Generosity is seen here. 

To defeat the evil effects of selfishness and greed, almsgiving works as sword, in transforming our life 

*5) Why 40 days?*

Apart from the biblical significance of the number 40, this could be one of the reasons why 40 days are important

40 days is a good time, neither too long nor too short 

It is a period, which is sufficient to destroy the evil in our lives and to transform our life

If a person is not able to have these two important things, neither 40 years will have no effects 

So whatever change we wish, if we are really serious and determined, we can achieve within 40 days, with the Grace of God. 

*6) Lent is another New Beginning of our Life*

It calls us to have a new beginning in our life 

This is also apt and good time to bring change in our life 

The atmosphere, and the mood of the time, powerfully influences us in bringing the change in our life

So am I ready for destruction and transformation??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*