Ash Wednesday – a solemn and reflective day in the liturgical calendar. Today, as we gather, I invite you to explore the profound practice of fasting in the light of Matthew 6:16-18, seeking a deeper understanding of its significance in this sacred season.
Opening: Setting the Tone for a Holy Journey
As we enter this season of Lent, let us turn our attention to the words of our Savior found in Matthew 6:16-18. These verses, spoken with love and wisdom, guide us in our approach to fasting during this penitential period. It is a time of introspection, repentance, and a sincere desire to draw nearer to the heart of God.
Point 1: Fasting as a Reverent Submission
In the opening words of Jesus, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do... they have their reward" (Matthew 6:16). Today, as we receive the mark of ashes on our foreheads, let us do so with humility, recognizing our need for repentance. Fasting is not a display for the world but a submission of our hearts to the divine will.
Illustration 1: The Subdued Dance of Repentance
Picture a dance where each step is a prayer, each movement a gesture of repentance. Today, our ashes become the visible symbol of our commitment to a sacred dance of surrender, seeking forgiveness in the presence of our merciful Father.
Point 2: Fasting as a Cleansing of the Soul
Continuing, Jesus instructs, "But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 6:17-18). On this Ash Wednesday, let the ashes on our foreheads not be a display of piety, but a reminder of the soul-cleansing journey we embark upon.
Illustration 2: The Solemn Closet Cleansing
Imagine a spiritual closet, adorned with the dust of our shortcomings. Today, as we receive the ashen cross, let it be a symbol of our commitment to cleanse our spiritual space, allowing God to purify our hearts during this sacred Lenten season.
Point 3: Fasting as a Feast of Redemption
Lastly, Jesus promises, "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:18). The ashes on our foreheads are not marks of despair but symbols of hope, representing the promise of redemption that comes from the unseen but attentive gaze of our Heavenly Father.
Illustration 3: The Redeeming Banquet
Envision a banquet table laden with grace, forgiveness, and redemption. Today, as we fast and receive the mark of ashes, let it be a participation in a feast of redemption, where our souls are nourished with the transformative love of our Savior.
Conclusion: A Sacred Journey Begins
In conclusion, dear brothers and sisters, as we mark the beginning of Lent on this Ash Wednesday, let us approach the season of fasting with reverence. May our ashes be a visible sign of our inner commitment to submit, cleanse, and embrace the redemptive feast that our Heavenly Father graciously offers.
May God bless us on this sacred journey of Lent, and may the fasting of our bodies be matched by the feasting of our souls, leading us closer to the heart of our loving Creator.
Amen.
The Rev. Canon Dr. John Mozingo is the pastor of Holy Cross Anglican Church in Winterville, NC.