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Today we are invited to allow the ashes that we receive to serve as a kind of alarm bell, reminding us of the shortness and preciousness of life, of the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us, and of the invitation, once again this Lent, to be renewed in our spiritual life.
After cautioning us against showing off our generosity, Jesus, in the three main paragraphs of today’s Gospel, instructs us as to the way we should engage in the three familiar Lenten practices that are meant to lead to our spiritual renewal – praying, fasting and the sharing of our resources with those in need. Jesus tells us we are to do these quietly, privately and not with the ulterior motive of seeking the admiration of others. We can be just as prone to the latter temptation as the synagogue-goers of Jesus’ day. To help us in that regard, today’s readings include the very beautiful Psalm 51, the prayer for a clean heart and right spirit. It is a psalm well worth memorizing.
Ultimately, for each of us, our relationship with our loving and forgiving God is intensely private. The fruitfulness of our Lenten practices will be manifest in the clean and joyful heart with which we will be able to celebrate Easter.