One of the mysteries of our life as missionary disciples is that we do not live out our mission of sharing the joy of the gospel alone. At the conclusion of the longer ending of the Gospel of Mark we read: "And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it." (Mk 16: 20) We also hear in the Second reading for today: "As we work together with him (Jesus), we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain." (2 Cor 5: 21) Ash Wednesday and the season Lent help us to reform, our lives so that through almsgiving, prayer and self-denial we do not receive the grace of God in vain. The ashes on our foreheads or the top of our heads show an attitude conducive to repentance and openness to the Gospel such that when Easter comes our rejoicing will be amplified since we have witnessed the power of God to save personally.
No comments:
Post a Comment