From Father Grassi - February 25, 2007
Earlier this week all the children from the primary campus of NCA gathered in the parking lot to watch the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday celebration be burnt and turned into the ashes that we signed people with on Ash Wednesday. This was the first time I had ever witnessed or taken part in such a ceremony. What a joy it was to see the excitement on their faces as the flames rose high out of the grill. And the children literally screamed with delight when the fire died out only to dramatically relight itself three or four times. They were told that those ashes would be placed on their foreheads the following day. Peter told me to assure them that the ashes would be cooled by then and not to be concerned. Perhaps we can all look at what this season of Lent in this year of 2007 can offer us through the eyes of the children. Are we excited about what awaits us this Lent? I hope we are looking forward to spending a little more time in prayer and reflection. Are we going to count the days, especially the meatless Fridays and the days of fasting? Or are we going to take each Lenten day as it comes realizing that every day becomes an opportunity to grow closer to our loving God by looking deeper into ourselves? Will our Lenten alms-giving be a chore and a task, or a joyful time to share the blessings that God has given to us? Will Lent be a drudgery or a special time to experience a new and deeper relationship with God rooted in prayer, reflection, and action?
If, like the children we experience the newness of our Lenten season, we will respond with the same awe and surprise and openness as they do to all that surrounds them. The temptation we face is the familiarity of Lent. We’ve done it before. All the more reason to really throw ourselves into this year and make it new and be excited about it.
Finally, like the children who joined hands and prayed around the fire, let us keep each other in our Lenten prayers.
DJG
Filed under: From Fr. Grassi
