iServi News | 28 February 2020 | Term 1, Week 4
Lent is a time for intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving as we prepare for the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. We begin our Lenten journey when we receive the ash on our forehead during Ash Wednesday.
The ash reminds us of our mortality. The form of the cross reminds us that Jesus died for all of us, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-11
From this letter of St Paul to the Philippians, we can explore meaning of the word ASH through the example of Jesus. (A) stands for ACCEPTANCE. By accepting the will of God, Jesus offered himself as a form of (S) SACRIFICE. He was crucified in the cross though He was in the form of God but humbled himself as a servant. That is the real (H) HUMILITY of Jesus.
A – Acceptance of our mission in life as followers of Jesus and make some
S – Sacrifices for the sake of other people and do it with full
H – Humility.
Let us apply this ASH in our life as we continue our journey in this Lenten season and prayer to have a fruitful and meaningful celebration of Lent.
Fra Ruben Cardona, OSM
College Chaplain