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Ash Wednesday

Writer's picture: Fr. KrisFr. Kris

 

During the pandemic, on Ash Wednesday, we were very careful and kept our distance from one another. We didn’t trace the sign of the cross with ashes on peoples’ foreheads, but instead we sprinkled the top of the heads with ashes. A person came to me after Mass and asked if I could put the ashes on his forehead because he wanted to show to others that he is religious, that he is beginning Lent, and that others might see this sign. I just did what he asked for, thinking later that what he had asked for is totally the contrary to the gospel reading from Ash Wednesday. Jesus said: “when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,so that your almsgiving may be secret.” – “when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.” – “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.” Jesus reminds us that praying, fasting, and almsgiving must not to be done to be recognized and praised by others, but we must do these simply out of love for God and our neighbor.



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©2024 by Rev. Kris Janczak

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