Alvarinho J. Luis
Lent is one of the five seasons in the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with Advent, Christmas, Easter and Ordinary Time. It precedes Easter and is a solemn period of prayer, fasting, and charity, providing an opportunity for repentance and spiritual renewal through the sacrament of reconciliation in preparation for Christ’s Resurrection.
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Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, recalling Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert before His Passion. It falls six-and-a-half weeks before Easter and has been observed since the 11th century. However, the tradition of ashes dates back to the Hebrew custom of wearing sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance. This practice evolved into today’s Ash Wednesday observance, symbolizing repentance and renewal.
While the Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday, the Old Testament references similar acts of penance, such as Job 16:15—“I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, thrown my forehead in the dust.” The New Testament also acknowledges the practice, as in Luke 10:13, where Jesus speaks of repentance in sackcloth and
ashes.
Ashes serve as a reminder of human mortality, as stated in Genesis 3:19—“For dust you are and to dust you shall return.” Early Christians practiced public penance with ashes and sackcloth, though this custom diminished over time. Receiving ashes as a cross signifies a commitment to Lent as a season of prayer and penitence. It acknowledges human brokenness, the need for redemption, and the call to carry our crosses as followers of Christ.
The Catholic Church requires fasting for members aged 18 to 59 on two obligatory days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting, a sign of repentance, allows for one full meal and two smaller meals, with exemptions for those with special physical needs.
Ash Wednesday is a time to renew one’s commitment to prayer, including the Rosary and Lectio Divina, a meditative reading of Scripture that helps us discern God’s message. Along with fasting and attending Mass, almsgiving is a meaningful way to observe the day. By helping those in need, Christians embody Jesus’ teachings and practice charity, a central theme of Lent.
Almsgiving has a threefold purpose: it deepens our love for others, fosters detachment, and promotes social justice. Jesus emphasized this in His teaching about the scribes and Pharisees: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Almsgiving extends beyond financial donations; it includes volunteering time, sharing skills and advocating for social justice, making a tangible impact on those in need.
This Lent, as pilgrims of hope in this jubilee year, a pilgrimage offers a way to encounter God. Let this season be a journey from darkness to light, from thirst to living water, and the cross to the Resurrection.
