Ash Wednesday, 2025

Ash Wednesday 2025

Three Pillars of Lenten Observance

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Ashes are a very curious sacramental. What is it about ashes that speaks so powerfully to us whatever the condition of our faith or the state of our life? If we saw a pile of ashes at home we would quickly clean them up, but not today. Today, they are a symbol of a profound truth about ourselves and the reality of our lives. Today, ashes remind us of our own mortality, that time is fleeting and so we are called to use it well, mindful that our true goal in life is heaven.

So, the Church sets aside a 40 day period for the reflection, repentance, and renewal because our wounded nature requires it. Lent reassures us that we can begin again. It is a journey we make to re-evaluate, re-calibrate, and clarify what our true values should be as disciples.

The Church would have us begin by taking to heart the three Gospel practices—the 3 pillars of Lenten observance: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
 
Prayer is essential for anyone serious about their spiritual life. It is what helps us develop and deepen our relationship with the Lord. And yes, it requires a commitment of time every day to place ourselves away from so many things that distract us so that we can praise and thank God for his many blessings, seek his help not only for ourselves but for others, and implore his pardon for our sins. There are many ways we can do this…reflecting on the Scriptures, Holy Mass, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, visits to the Blessed Sacrament and private devotions.

Fasting is a sort of spiritual training that helps us focus more on the Lord. Fasting not just from food but letting go of things in our life that have too much hold on us, things that can be so addictive. Fasting also helps us recognize that we can live happily with less. Imagine having a TV or social media free day that might help us to keep our eyes on Jesus.
 
Almsgiving, helping those in need, helps us align our hearts with the selfless love and generosity of Jesus. In serving and helping others we are serving and helping Jesus whom we find in the poor and marginalized.  

I very much like this prayer for Ash Wednesday:

Lent is a time to be with you Lord, a time to pray, to fast, to follow you on your way to the cross and to your final victory over death. But I am divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about worldly values. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life and that can be so hard. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you.
 Throughout this Lent. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me. Amen.