"Ash Wednesday"
"Remember You Are Dust and to Dust You Shall Return"
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
"Ash Wednesday" marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks about three familiar Lenten practices—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Jesus' message is clear and surprisingly practical: don’t turn these practices into a performance. Faith is not meant to impress others; it is meant to draw us closer to God.
When we give to those in need, Jesus invites us to do so quietly, with generosity that flows from love rather than recognition. When we pray, Jesus encourages us to seek moments of silence, to step away from distractions, and to speak honestly with God. And when we fast, Jesus reminds us not to be gloomy or showy, but to let fasting deepen our trust in God and our compassion for others.
Lent asks us to look not at what others see, but at what God sees. God sees our intentions, our struggles, our efforts—even the small ones that no one else notices. And that is enough. It means we don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to impress anyone. We simply have to show up before God with honesty and openness and let God's love transform us.
As we move through these forty days, may our prayer be simple: “Lord, help me to live this Lent with humiility and sincerity.” May our acts of kindness be real, our prayer be honest, and our sacrifices be offered with love. The ashes on our foreheads will fade, but the grace God works in our hearts can last far beyond Lent.
During Lent, we are asked to practice the discipline of self-control through fasting. Many people choose to "give up" certain foods, beverages, or other material things.
But Lent can also be a time to fast from attitudes and behaviors that can limit or diminish us, and to feast on attitudes, behaviors, and practices that can help us, through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, to transform, grow, deepen, and nourish our relationships with God, with others, with ourselves, and with creation. In that regard, we invite you to pray and reflect on the following:
Litany of Fasting and Feasting
Fast from judging others
Fast from emphasis on our differences
Fast from words that pollute
Fast from discontent
Fast from anger
Fast from idle gossip
Fast from pessimism
Fast from worry
Fast from thoughts of illness
Fast from complaining
Fast from negatives
Fast from personal anxiety
Fast from hostility
Fast from bitterness
Fast from self-concern
Fast from discouragement
Fast from lethargy
Fast from suspicion
Fast from thoughts that weaken
Fast from problems that overwhelm
Fast from disbelief
Fast from the darkness of sin
Feast on the Christ within them
Feast on the Spirit who unites
Feast on phrases that purify
Feast on gratitute
Feast on patience
Feast on purposeful silence
Feast on optimism
Feast on trust
Feast on the healing power of God
Feast on appreciation
Feast on affirmatives
Feast on unceasing prayer
Feast on nonviolence
Feast on forgiveness
Feast on compassion for others
Feast on hope
Feast on enthusiasm
Feast on truth
Feast on promises that inspire
Feast on prayer that sustains
Feast on faith
Feast on the light of Christ
Source: attributed to William Arthur Ward, 1921-1994, as modified
Follows are some videos, music, and other resources to assist you to learn more about the meaning and practices of Ash Wednesday:
VIDEOS
"The Significance of Ash Wednesday" (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
"Why Fast on Ash Wednesday" (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
"Why Isn't Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?" (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
"Ash Wednesday and Lent for Beginners" (A Catholic Mom's Life)
"What is Ash Wednesday" (Catholic Kid's Media)
"Ash Wednesday" (Catholic Online)
MUSIC
"Ashes" (Tom Conry)
"Ashes to Ashes" (Dan Shutte)
"Signed by Ashes" (Kevin Keil)
OTHER RESOURCES
"Why Ashes?" (Father Larry Rice)
"A Catholic's Guide to Ash Wednesday" (Dynamic Catholic)
"Ash Wednesday's Significance" (Simply Catholic)
Links to other Articles, Videos, Music, practices, and Resources for Lent and Easter