So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:1
In this age of privatized faiths and personalistic spirituality, Ash Wednesday is a marvel. Contemporary society has deemed communal worship as unnecessary and only a matter of taste. Yet faithful Catholics, superficial Catholics, non-Catholics all want ashes. Churches are packed on Ash Wednesday. We all want that smudge. Yet Ash Wednesday is a bit confusing.
Jesus seems to say: “Keep your faith private and to yourself and don’t do anything showy with penances,” and the Church seems to say: “ASHES FOR EVERYONE!”
It’s helpful to remember, the use of ashes in religious practice pre-exist Christ. Ashes were worn as a sign of repentance and mourning. Thus, Jesus’ words aren’t aimed at the destruction of public faith but rather the abuse of it. In fact, Ash Wednesday is a reminder to us of the truth of our sinfulness and humanity. We do not do this alone.
“We are ambassadors for Christ” and “working together then.” These are the words of St. Paul to the Corinthians. We communally wear ashes today as a reminder of the fact that our world is not hyper-individualized but rather hyper-communal. May this Lenten season bring about a restoration of our communities and responsibilities towards one another.
What does the Lord desire to accomplish in me during this Lenten Season?
Jesus, help me to recognize how I might care for my neighbor.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did you know...
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered the seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination, he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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