Following a different path

At his General Audience today (Ash Wednesday), the Holy Father based his reflections on the two texts which may be used during the imposition of ashes.

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the Church’s Lenten journey towards Easter. Lent reminds us, as Saint Paul exhorts, “not to accept the grace of God in vain” (cf. 2 Cor 6:1), but to recognize that today the Lord calls us to penance and spiritual renewal. This call to conversion is expressed in the two formulae used in the rite of the imposition of ashes. The first formula – “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” – echoes Jesus’s words at the beginning of his public ministry (cf. Mk 1:15). It reminds us that conversion is meant to be a deep and lasting abandonment of our sinful ways in order to enter into a living relationship with Christ, who alone offers true freedom, happiness and fulfilment. The second, older formula – “Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return” – recalls the poverty and death which are the legacy of Adam’s sin, while pointing us to the resurrection, the new life and the freedom brought by Christ, the Second Adam.

He added that "conversion means changing the direction of the path of our lives."

As we enter this holy season, I hope to consider my own path...is Christ at the end of the path as its goal? Do I take the most direct route? the easiest route? am I even on the right road?

This also reminds us that the goal of Lent is not simply self-denial, but rather dying to self and rising in Christ. Our Lenten disciplines teach and express our dependence on God and our willingness to leave all behind to follow him. We don't simply "give up" something for forty days...we seek to condition ourselves so that when Easter arrives we may rejoice in the Savior--Risen and Radiant--renewed in our baptism into Christ, carrying his light, clothed in his glory and waiting eagerly for his return in glory!

Conversion

Today (January 25) is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul the Apostle. One of the optional readings for the day recalls the dramatic story of Paul's conversion, knocked from his horse by the Lord himself (depicted in the painting to the left by the Renaissance master Caravaggio). Saul's conversion, which took place even as he was going to Damascus to persecute Christians, is yet another example of God's generous mercy and his tireless patience with imperfect men and women.

Conversion is an interesting word. In Church-speak it involves more than just embracing a new life. It also involves turning away from the things that interfere with the new life as well. In ancient times those to be baptized would face the west (the place where the sun set and from where darkness comes) to reject satan; they would then turn to face the east (the place of the rising sun / Son) to profess their faith, turning their backs on their former lives. Today, our baptismal profession still requires us to reject satan and all his empty promises and to profess our belief in the Triune God (although we no longer physically turn).

I often speak with liturgists about conversion. When planning liturgies people often approach from the angle of "I don't like (or understand or appreciate) this aspect of the liturgy...how can it be changed?" Instead, I think that the question should be, "I don't like (or understand or appreciate) this aspect of the liturgy...how can I change?" We don't change things to suit our vision. We allow our hearts to be changed to live in Christ.