Ash Wednesday
Readings for Ash Wednesday[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
The Lenten Season: The Lectionary readings for Lent fall into two basic themes broken into the first half of Lent and the second. In the first half, beginning today and running through the Saturday of the third week of Lent focuses on the model of discipleship. As we are confronted time and again with the demands of that call we come to understand that in spite of our best efforts, the call will always be out of our reach.
The second half of Lent the Lectionary shows us Jesus the Christ in the Gospel of St. John. We review his ministry, not so much as a synopsis, but rather to come to a closer understanding of the salvation He alone provides.
Taken together, the first half of Lent is ethical and the second is Christological. The first half empties us the second fills us up. At the end lies the great gift of Easter.
Reading 1: Joel 2:12-18
Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jl 2:12-18
The land has suffered a great plague of locusts and Joel calls the people of Israel to repentance. He calls all the faithful to return to the Lord and have faith in him because they were in despair thinking the locusts were a punishment from God. Joel asks the faithful for an interior conversion not just outward signs or ritual worship (“Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.”)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
Supporting the lament in Joel, Psalm 51 provides a call to repentance as well. “A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought.”[5] We acknowledge our sinfulness and vow to return to the grace of God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2
So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Cor 5:20—6:2
St. Paul calls the Corinthians to reconciliation with God. He reminds them that through reconciliation grace is received and through grace God pours out salvation. The Apostle reminds the people why God came, as a sacrifice of atonement for sins (“For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin “) His urgent call tells his audience that now (not later) is the time for this to occur. “In an acceptable time: Paul cites the Septuagint text of Isaiah 49:8; the Hebrew reads "in a time of favor"; it is parallel to "on the day of salvation." Now: God is bestowing favor and salvation at this very moment, as Paul is addressing his letter to them.”[6]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
"(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
This passage is the instruction on almsgiving, prayer and fasting from St. Matthew’s Gospel, the three major Lenten themes. We are reminded that what we do for God is for Him to see not for others to see. In all three instances, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting the same instruction is given. We are to give generously but in private, we are to pray fervently but alone, and we are to fast with purpose but to hide our discomfort. (The section left out of this reading, Matthew 6; 7-15, is Jesus giving the disciples the Lord’s Prayer.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Today we begin “The Forty Days” as it is called elsewhere in the world. That period in our liturgical year in which we do what we can call annual maintenance of the soul and spirit. The scripture today is rich with instructions for the faithful on the three main actions we take in this season; prayer, fasting, and alms giving. The “what’s” and “how’s” are given to us in detail. It is the “why” that is left up to us and it is that “Why” that gives us the most trouble.
During our Lenten journey we are to repair our spiritual selves by examining our past actions and correcting them against the base-line of right actions found in scripture and the teaching magisterium of the Church. It is openly examining our actions that become problematic. This is true for a couple of reasons; first, we can’t remember all of the things we have done if we are only looking back during lent; and second, we can rationalize what we have done so it does not appear to be a problem.
There is a solution. Our reflection must be consent during the whole year and during lent, we review where we are and pledge to go forward. We look at each facet of our lives – work, family, social, and spiritual and ask; Is this what God wants me to do and if not what must I change? It’s not easy, but then we have forty days.
Today is a day of fasting and abstinence in the Church. We will not be required to refrain from eating, and abstain from meat again until Good Friday, the day after Lent ends. Today we offer our hunger to those for whom hunger is constant. We offer our goods for those who have none. We offer our prayers for all peoples, that they too might turn away from sin and return to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture is “Madonna at Prayer” by Sassoferrato, 1650’s
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[5] See NAB footnote on Psalm 51
[6] See NAB footnote on 2 Corinthians 6:2
Readings for Ash Wednesday[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
The Lenten Season: The Lectionary readings for Lent fall into two basic themes broken into the first half of Lent and the second. In the first half, beginning today and running through the Saturday of the third week of Lent focuses on the model of discipleship. As we are confronted time and again with the demands of that call we come to understand that in spite of our best efforts, the call will always be out of our reach.
The second half of Lent the Lectionary shows us Jesus the Christ in the Gospel of St. John. We review his ministry, not so much as a synopsis, but rather to come to a closer understanding of the salvation He alone provides.
Taken together, the first half of Lent is ethical and the second is Christological. The first half empties us the second fills us up. At the end lies the great gift of Easter.
Reading 1: Joel 2:12-18
Yet even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing,
Offerings and libations
for the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
Gather the people,
notify the congregation;
Assemble the elders,
gather the children
and the infants at the breast;
Let the bridegroom quit his room
and the bride her chamber.
Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
with the nations ruling over them!
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'"
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his land
and took pity on his people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jl 2:12-18
The land has suffered a great plague of locusts and Joel calls the people of Israel to repentance. He calls all the faithful to return to the Lord and have faith in him because they were in despair thinking the locusts were a punishment from God. Joel asks the faithful for an interior conversion not just outward signs or ritual worship (“Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.”)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm:[4] Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
Supporting the lament in Joel, Psalm 51 provides a call to repentance as well. “A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought.”[5] We acknowledge our sinfulness and vow to return to the grace of God.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2
So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Working together, then,
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on 2 Cor 5:20—6:2
St. Paul calls the Corinthians to reconciliation with God. He reminds them that through reconciliation grace is received and through grace God pours out salvation. The Apostle reminds the people why God came, as a sacrifice of atonement for sins (“For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin “) His urgent call tells his audience that now (not later) is the time for this to occur. “In an acceptable time: Paul cites the Septuagint text of Isaiah 49:8; the Hebrew reads "in a time of favor"; it is parallel to "on the day of salvation." Now: God is bestowing favor and salvation at this very moment, as Paul is addressing his letter to them.”[6]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
"(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms,
do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you pray,
do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
"When you fast,
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
This passage is the instruction on almsgiving, prayer and fasting from St. Matthew’s Gospel, the three major Lenten themes. We are reminded that what we do for God is for Him to see not for others to see. In all three instances, almsgiving, prayer, and fasting the same instruction is given. We are to give generously but in private, we are to pray fervently but alone, and we are to fast with purpose but to hide our discomfort. (The section left out of this reading, Matthew 6; 7-15, is Jesus giving the disciples the Lord’s Prayer.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
Today we begin “The Forty Days” as it is called elsewhere in the world. That period in our liturgical year in which we do what we can call annual maintenance of the soul and spirit. The scripture today is rich with instructions for the faithful on the three main actions we take in this season; prayer, fasting, and alms giving. The “what’s” and “how’s” are given to us in detail. It is the “why” that is left up to us and it is that “Why” that gives us the most trouble.
During our Lenten journey we are to repair our spiritual selves by examining our past actions and correcting them against the base-line of right actions found in scripture and the teaching magisterium of the Church. It is openly examining our actions that become problematic. This is true for a couple of reasons; first, we can’t remember all of the things we have done if we are only looking back during lent; and second, we can rationalize what we have done so it does not appear to be a problem.
There is a solution. Our reflection must be consent during the whole year and during lent, we review where we are and pledge to go forward. We look at each facet of our lives – work, family, social, and spiritual and ask; Is this what God wants me to do and if not what must I change? It’s not easy, but then we have forty days.
Today is a day of fasting and abstinence in the Church. We will not be required to refrain from eating, and abstain from meat again until Good Friday, the day after Lent ends. Today we offer our hunger to those for whom hunger is constant. We offer our goods for those who have none. We offer our prayers for all peoples, that they too might turn away from sin and return to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture is “Madonna at Prayer” by Sassoferrato, 1650’s
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
[4] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[5] See NAB footnote on Psalm 51
[6] See NAB footnote on 2 Corinthians 6:2
3 comments:
Dear Fr. Jim,
I quickly want to bring this to your attention.
The last paragraph reads "Today is a day of fasting and abstinence in the Church. We will not be required to refrain from eating, and abstain from meat again until Good Friday, the day after Lent ends."
Surely, I guess you meant it to read
"Today is...... We will be required" instead of "not be required"
If you meant it to be "not be required" then please explain. otherwise kindly correct the oversight so we can forward the post to our friends. I live in Africa and we are already awake.
Thank you.
JS,
I should have been more clear. TOday is a day of fasting and abstinence and we are requred to follow those rules. What I should have said is there are only two days during Lent when both fasting and abstinence are required - today and Good Friday.
Thanks for pointing out the unclear statement.
Pax
Dcn. Jim
Dcn Jim,
I get it.
Thanks
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