What a day! It all began in the pre-dawn hours as I rolled out of bed. Bleary eyed, I grabbed for my breviary and had a chat with God. The psalms rolled off my tongue (or through my mind, as I didn't want to wake anyone else in the house), and the readings for the day included a meditation taken from a letter to the Corinthians (yep, the same ones Paul wrote to) written by Saint Clement, the fourth Pope. I always love the Office of Readings. It helps me to keep in touch with the saints who have gone before us, and to remember the great treasure that our faith is.
The sun was just rising when I made my way down the stairs and prepared for the first of two Masses that were celebrated today. There's something about this day that makes people come out in droves. The tracing with ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is still a very powerful symbol, and people thirst for meaningful symbols in today's world.
The first Mass began at 8:00 am and there were about 70 people present. The rythm of the liturgy continued, it's solemnity speaking majestically against the relative quiet of the early morning hours. Thirty minutes later, sinners who had come to this font of grace were back on their way out into the world, having met the Lord, having received the bread of eternal life, and having been refuelled for the journey - oh and yes with the dust of last year's palms traced on their foreheads.
The noon Mass is always more popular in a downtown parish, and this was no exception. I don't think there was an empty seat in the house, but scattered amidst the adults, I also noticed all 120 students from the nearby elementary school. This is their annual pilgrimage to the church - all of them, and it adds a certain something to see them too approach as we place ashes on their heads. After this second tide of humanity had also been fed, it was on to the next invitation to grace, which came in the form of preparing for the evening meeting.
Thanks to ingeneous planning, the evening of Ash Wednesday was spent with candidates who are preparing for Confirmation. They and their families came for this first meeting which was held at the beginning of Lent, and therefore reminiscent of the adults who for centuries have spent this holy season preparing for baptism or to be reconciled with themselves and with God. This brief gathering, which lasted about an hour or so gave me an opportunity to meet the candidates, and to explain a bit about the preparation program for Confirmation. In this parish, the program includes an on-line portion, which is very appealing to parents and candidates alike.
Having outlined the process, and walked through all the requirements, we sent them on their way ... I couldn't help thinking that we are all like these young people. We come to the Lord, recognizing our weaknesses, we ask for forgiveness, we listen to His instruction, we receive his gift of divine food and then we go on our way. Along the way, each of us shares with friends, acquaintances and strangers, the joys and struggles of deepening our faith.
What will Lent bring? How will we react to God's offer of divine gifts during this time of grace?
Happy Lent!
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