ASH WEDNESDAY
February 22, 2023

Ash Wednesday, though not a day of obligation, has always drawn crowds to Church for the Rite of Ashes. Today’s liturgy calls on the minor prophet Joel, who spoke 500 years before Christ. His words, (our first reading), capture some of the ritual traditions of the people including calling us all together, fasting and asking for God’s forgiveness, (you can hear it in the words).

As then 2,500 years ago, so now – ritual traditions call on assembly – get all the people together, proclaim a fast as they did so us do now. This time together as we start Lent, is to remind all of us Lent is not just supposed to be a period of merely individual penitence, but of communal abstinence and penitence.

As Gods people we come together to offer prepared sacrifices for all Christian people of the world. It is our task to ask God to spare His people. It is the acceptable time for us to pray, to fast, and to give alms so that the Lord may be stirred to concern and take pity on His people.