Celebration of Ash Wednesday within the Mass 

Cycle C - Year II

2 March 2022: (Liturgical Color: Violet)

Readings:

First Reading:        Joel 2:12-18

Second Reading:   2 Cor 5:20--6:2

Gospel:  Please Read  Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 

Repent and believe!

We take a break in our liturgical cycle of Ordinary Time to prepare for our Lenten journey. Today is Ash Wednesday, which ushers in the liturgical season of Lent.

Ash Wednesday falls 46 days before Easter Sunday.  Although it is not a holy day of obligation, by tradition Catholics attend Mass on this day in order to receive the blessed ashes.

Gospel Reflection

The Gospel proclamation is from St. Matthew. Jesus tells His disciples to be careful not to parade one's uprightness just to attract attention. Instead, the primarily concern is inner motivation for doing things and not the external action. Jesus wants us to do what is right and good because we truly desire to help others, love others, and make our world a better place. So Jesus criticizes those who do good just to be seen by others.

Blessing and Distribution of Ashes

After the homily, the presiding priest (or deacon) blesses the ashes by sprinkling them with holy water.  So now we know why it is Ash Wednesday because ashes are distributed during the Mass.  These ashes are from the burning of blessed palm branches of the previous year's celebration of Palm Sunday.

Then the faithful come forward to receive the blessed ashes. The priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and makes the sign of the cross with them on the forehead of each person, while saying these words:

"Remember, man, that you are dust, and to dust thou shalt return." Or,

"Repent and believe in the Gospel".

Lay Ministers may assist in the distribution of blessed ashes where there is a need, especially for the sick and the shut-ins.

A Day of Repentance

The symbolism of the distribution of the ashes reminds us of our own mortality, and calls us to repentance.  Usually, the faithful leave the markings of the ashes on the forehead all day as a sign of repentance and humility.

Fasting and Abstinence

The Universal Church requires us to fast and abstain from meat in keeping with the penitential nature of Ash Wednesday.

Fasting means eating only one complete meal and two smaller ones for the day, with no other food intake in-between.  Those required to fast are Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 years.

Abstinence means not eating any meat, or any food made with meat. Abstinence covers those with age of 14 and above.

A Journey of Hope

The Lenten Season is a fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. It is a journey of hope towards our redemption from sin, when our Lord Jesus Christ rises again from the dead on Easter Sunday.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!