Ash Wednesday
On the first day of Lent, my true love sent to me,
ground ash and a fast that left me hungry…
Yet, St Benedict mentions ‘joy’ twice in the chapter of the Rule about Lent (RB 49). Today is the only feria in the Church’s year when we have three readings and a psalm at Mass – just as on a Solemnity. At our monastery in Worcester five bells would be rung for Mass on Ash Wednesday as on a feast. What’s going on?
Today we begin our forty-day trek towards Easter. We know Christ has already won the victory for us, has already paid the price for our transgressions: hence the joy of a festival. At the same time, God wants us to be active participants in the victory, not just spectators. Each year we are given this joyful season to prepare to receive the gift of Easter anew; to de-clutter our hearts and our lives, to acknowledge our sinfulness and complicity in the ills of our world, and to pray for the grace to let our inner self be made strong (cf. Ephesians 3:16).
Created in the image of God, we are made to share God’s boundless freedom but so often we tie ourselves down by poor choices. Lent gives us chance to reflect and review our preferences, for each of us ask ‘how must I change to become the free person God wants me to be?’
One thing St Benedict recommends on the Lenten pilgrimage is that we read ‘a book from the library right through’ (RB 48: 15).
If you’ve not yet chosen your Lent book, Patriot by Alexei Navalny (1976-2024), the Russian opposition leader who died in prison from poisoning, is highly recommended.
https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Patriot-by-Alexei-Navalny/9798217008506?srsltid=AfmBOoq-kN_5nKAssbTWWG0nH9XmnHPmGR5ISl2gtzKZqXuNkZIdndsl
Patriot is a thoroughly gripping read, a humorous and inspiring witness to the truth lived in the most challenging
circumstances. Navalny preaches the Beatitudes both in powerful words and with his life.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right…(Matthew 5: 6). So, the least we can do is fast for two days in Lent.
And the ashes? A reminder of the truth of our physical make up – we are dust – and of the extraordinary privilege we have not only of living but of being called to share God’s life: something to celebrate and for which to give heartfelt thanks.
May God bless our Lenten journey in this Year of the Lord 2026.
Sr Laurentia