Homily: Ash Wednesday , YR C
"Lent is not about You"
by Fr. William Holtzinger
Feb. 25, 2004

In the Book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren has created a personal Lenten retreat by writing 40 short chapters which explores the most common question, a question that Lent asks us as well: “Why am I here?” During Lent we fast and abstain from things in order to center ourselves and clear out those things that distract us from God’s presence in our lives. By not giving into our desires that keep us comfortable and safe, Lent gives us a special time to be keenly aware of our sins and even more aware of the solution: reconciliation.

The first chapter of The Purpose Driven Life sets the tone that we are to maintain all through Lent. Simply put, it’s not about you. So much of our world, our jobs, our relationships are wrapped up in our own perspective that we often cannot get beyond our own view of things. So much of what we do is for our own self gratification or self esteem. Mr. Warren reflects that life is not about “your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.” The Scriptures today also remind us that we must think less of how others perceive us and reorient
our locus of attention to what God thinks and wants. It is a holy thing not to directly seek out the approval of others, but instead concentrate on how we might please God, for “God sees what is hidden.” Instead of asking ourselves first, maybe try asking God for some help. Lent, through fasting, prayer, and giving alms gives us an opportunity to “get out of our skins.”

Today, we put ashes on our foreheads in order to remind ourselves of the futility of our own selfishness. We are dust, and dust we shall return. Such a realization should make us all the more grateful that God chose to become like us in order that he may heal us. In the movie, “The Passion of Christ” which opens nationwide today, the most graphic depiction of Christ’s acts of love will be viewed by millions of people. Jesus’ passion, his journey towards his death profoundly demonstrates the lengths to which he was willing to go for our souls. While he agonized over the suffering he would endure, his selfless act of love clearly demonstrated that he knew his purpose in life. He did not let his own physical or psychological desires determine what his actions would be. St. Paul when writing to the Romans said that “the concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). Again, Lent gives us an opportunity to reassess the motives of our lives. For whom do we do this or that? For ourselves? Do we love others, do acts of kindness and charity for others, do we live our lives in order to get ahead of others? Or are we driven by the reality that Christ’s passionate love has wooed us to simply do what is right? It’s the difference between being part of a religion in it’s most negative sense and living a loving and compassionate relationship with the one who has loved us into existence.

This Lent, I will be leading a men’s faith sharing group. We will be meeting each Wednesday at 6:30 am in the Fireside Room to reflect on God’s will for our lives. I encourage any men interested to buy a copy of the book, The Purpose Driven Life, begin reading a chapter each day, and then join me to reflect on God’s will for our lives. You can sign up at the office and purchase a book as quantities allow. Even if you’re not a man or available to come to this reflection group, I invite each of us to begin our own 40 day journey towards God. Make a commitment to do something each day or fast from something each day that will encourage your relationship with Jesus. If you have been putting off doing something to enliven your faith, listen again to St. Paul to the Corinthians: “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation “ (2 Cor. 6:2).