Homily by Rev. Brillis on Ash Wednesday

Below is the full text of the homily delivered by Rev. Brillis Mathew for Ash Wednesday at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Silver Spring, Maryland.
 

Readings of the Day:
First Reading: Joel 2:12-18 |  Responsorial Psalm: 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14, 17  |  Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2  |  Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Today, liturgically, we start the Lenten season, a season of grace, a very special season God has given for all of us to renew our spiritual lives.  Traditionally, the Church reminds us of three important practices in Lent, which in reality we have to do every day.  In this special season, in a very special way, God wants us to strengthen our inner selves.  

We all need conversion.  Conversion is an ongoing process.  We need to have conversion until the end of our lives.  

In today’s first reading, we heard from the book of Joel.  Prophet Joel is reminding us to “rend your hearts,” or tear your hearts, “not your garments.”  In other words, God wants to have our own internal manifestation or internal conversion.  We all need conversion.  Conversion is an ongoing process.  We need to have conversion until the end of our lives.  

In the responsorial psalm, we heard from the beautiful, penitential Psalm 51.  “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”  We are all sinners.  We need God’s mercy, and God is merciful and kind.  God is always waiting to show his mercy in many ways, especially through the sacraments.  But we also need to admit, acknowledge, and pray constantly, like the Psalmist, have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me.  

In the second reading, we heard from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.  St. Paul is reminding us, to “be reconciled to God,” “behold, now is a very acceptable time.”  This is a very special time God has given to us to be ourselves, to find ourselves, to find our inner selves.  Who am I?  Where am I going?  How can I reach there?  Also, to renew our roots.  Once we renew our lives, we will be able to be with the Lord always, not only in this life but most importantly, in eternal life.

We are not only called to say prayers and go but we are called to lead prayerful lives.  Prayer renews our lives and changes our lives.  We all need to develop an art of prayer. 

Especially for this time of Lent, the Church in her great wisdom, with the Holy Spirit, is constantly reminding us of three most important things.  First, prayer.  Sometimes our prayers can be what we have already memorized, repetitions.  Prayer is not an act but should be a being.  We are not only called to say prayers and go but we are called to lead prayerful lives.  Prayer renews our lives and changes our lives.  We all need to develop an art of prayer.  Someone once asked Mother Teresa, “how do I learn to pray?”  She answered, “by praying.”  We need to set quality time aside.  During this time of Lent, it might be good to come to the Church, sit in the silence, and pray.  That prayer will change our lives.  Watch and see how the Lord is going to transform our lives.  

If we want to engage in a spiritual battle, we need to strengthen our spiritual selves.  For that, we need fasting.

Second, fasting.  In today’s world, fasting has become a big fashion.  There are different types of fasting.  Medical science explains various reasons for that.  But the most important thing is to strengthen our inner selves because we are battling evil all the time.  If we want to do external things, sometimes we need physical strength.  In Ephesians 6:10-20, St. Paul speaks about the spiritual war.  If we want to engage in a spiritual battle, we need to strengthen our spiritual selves.  For that, we need fasting.  No pain, no gain.  Practically, we can make a Lenten spiritual rule, perhaps being away from social media, whatever will strengthen your spirit.  God will give us the strength.  Philippians 4:13 says, “there is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me.”  Fasting is the way our spiritual immune systems will become stronger.  

When we do everything for the greater glory of God, our lives will become meaningful.  We become truly joyful and spiritually strong.

Third, almsgiving.  We are called to give.  We need to be generous.  We are called to walk an extra mile.  Sometimes what makes us unhappy—I, me, and myself.  What makes us happy—exactly the opposite, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  When we do everything for the greater glory of God, our lives will become meaningful.  We become truly joyful and spiritually strong.  During this beautiful time of Lent, with the help and grace of God, let us try our best to find ourselves so that we can truly be ourselves.  We can try to renew our roots; those roots will make our lives truly glorious.  For that grace, during this Mass, we can pray.