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Ash Wednesday came early this year. We packed the aisles of our churches to receive those ashes.

What did the ashes mean? Are they magic? Did we wipe them away soon after leaving church? Will Lent 2010 begin and end with Ash Wednesday?

Interestingly, the day of ashes is not a holy day of obligation. Throngs hear a call on this day. Ash Wednesday is the day we are public about being disciples of Christ.

A journey starts with the ashes. Reception of ashes signals our desire to do something. Lent responds to a call.

Ashes are pretty useless. What can you use ashes for? We are easily inspired by the liturgy of last Wednesday. The real test begins this week.

Lent is a journey that is not moving from one physical place to another. It has no road maps. It is a journey from death to life, from sin to forgiveness, with markers along the way to guide us: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Are these markers outdated? They have been time-honored in the journey to the cross of Christ and the empty tomb of Easter.

Fasting is much more than dieting. Fasting means "less" in a culture of "too much." We are overfed, overworked, overtired, overweight, over-fueled, over-bought, over-spent, over-charged.

One suggestion for Lent is "Project 10 percent less." During Lent, buy 10 percent less, spend 10 percent less, charge 10 percent less, eat 10 percent less, and travel 10 percent less.

A personal, methodical observance of Lent enables us to learn about ourselves, others and God. Lent is a spring of many graces. Our reception of the ashes signals a new willingness of the spirit.

Lent has meaning if these 40 days lead to the paschal mystery of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" parish in Cooperstown.)

Editor's note: During the holy season of Lent, we will feature a weekly commentary on its various aspects and observance.

(02/18/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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