HOMILY FOR ASH WEDNESDAY [YEAR B]
THEME: Fascinated by the ashes?
BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor
Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor. 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18
It’s not unusual to find so many persons in Church today; persons who are simply fascinated by the ashes. But beyond ashes, we must focus on the gospel reading of today. I still hear Archbishop (emeritus) Patrick Ekpu’s voice as he read this passage to us some 24 years ago, while I was his mass server at the Bishop’s Court in Benin City Archdiocese. As Lent begins today, we’re encouraged to give alms, pray, and fast; not in a boastful manner, that all may see, but secretly, so that our Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward us.
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Friends, many of us get so fascinated by the ashes on our foreheads that we forget it’s to remind us of the finiteness of our lives. The prophet Joel reminds us that Lent is a season not to rend our garments, but our hearts. Today, we must remember that this world is not our home, we’re only passing through. And as St Paul says, ‘now is the favourable time, this is the day of salvation’. It’s provodential, that today is also Valentine’s Day. What better time to love unconditionally than this season of Lent? May these forty days renew us, and may we, through fasting and abstinence, remember that we are dust, and so repent of our sins, and believe the good news, Amen.
Good morning dear. Welcome to the Season of Lent. God bless your day ahead, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
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