Anticipation, Ash Wednesday (2012-02-22)

This is my homily for Ash Wednesday 22 February 2012. I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Evening (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

[__01] The 40 days of Lent remind us that we are anticipating, hoping, waiting for Easter for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
We might ask ourselves, how does our Lenten practice affect or change our experience of waiting and hoping.

During the 40 days of Lent – and in Christian life generally – we speak of
1. Almsgiving (or charity)
2. Prayer
3. Fasting

These practices may seem to make the wait less tolerable, the waiting more uncomfortable. These are sacrifices…

[__02] First , almsgiving, charitable giving.
During a delay or uncertainty, we are tempted to put everyone or everything else on hold until my call is picked up/answered.

We may be eager for the solution or resolution of:
1. Family crisis– family members who are divided/not at peace with each other.
2. Professional obstacle
3. Uncertainty about our grades, standing, future ... what to do after graduation.

Some of the above may take much longer than the 40 days of Lent.

It is difficult to do something for someone else, when we feel left behind in the waiting room.

But, Jesus asks us to remember that it is when become last – even last in the waiting room – that we are truly first. The last shall be first.

Lent reminds us not to postpone indefinitely the generous act, the sacrifice for another person, the gift ourselves.

[__03] Secondly, prayer.

If we were actually on hold– or if we were on someone else’s waiting list, what would we perhaps do ...? Perhaps we would call for more information... try to find someone influential who can move this along...

And, at such a time, we realize that our future is in someone else’s hands.
During our prayer of Lent, we might realize that our lives and the lives of others are also in God’s hands. Do we place our trust there? Or in ourselves.

This Lent, we are called to sacrifice – not only give alms – to promote justice, love, charity...

But also to place our needs in God’s hands, to recognize as Jesus said, Father, not my will but yours be done. And, to ask, how can I respond to God’s will in promoting justice for the poor, the vulnerable, the unborn, the terminally ill. In promoting peace in my family, my relationships....

Appealing to God in our prayer, especially as we wait, we try not only to reduce our wait time, but also to acknowledge... It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

[__04] Thirdly, fasting. This “fast” and abstinence includes some specific instructions about the meals we eat today and on Good Friday and the giving up of meat on Fridays.

And, fasting, like prayer, helps us to recognize that we are not in complete control. This denial of self, this denial of our will, our desires at times, is a reminder of our dependence on God.

Also, fasting reminds us that our love with others and for others does not depend on the material food we are enjoying at a particular banquet.

Love itself is a banquet without silverware.

Also, fasting reminds us that the Lord has made us to receive many different sources of nourishment.

Also, the actual “fast” or “denial” may mean different things to different people.

For example, if we are older or in a particular health circumstance, the “fast” might simply be the promise to follow doctor’s orders, to eat that which is prescribed, for the fast is meant to be for our well being.

Or, the sacrifice might simply be to eat what is served and enjoy what is served with others. Here on campus, we have the opportunity – and may have the inclination to enjoy our meals whenever we want ... or with whomever. So, perhaps, the “fast” might be to choose regular meal times, regular meal companions...to get a recommended daily allowance of human contact.

[__05] Forty days of Lent, of anticipation.

What shall we do with this time?

By almsgiving, charity, we show our generosity, even when we ourselves may be waiting, delayed, uncertain

By prayer, meditation, we turn our lives over to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

By fasting, by these acts of self denial, we also say to ourselves and the Lord that we will accept what he is serving us, where he is leading us ... and that we will accept God’s letter, God’s call, whenever it comes. [__fin__]