An appraisal of the homily delivered by Fr Tony D’souza sdb
on Ash Wednesday (2016), at Don
Bosco Parish
Church
The readings for Ash Wednesday are always the same across
all cycles and every year we hear them being read out to us. The first reading
from the prophet Joel is an ardent call to return back to God. Lent is a
reminder about our reality as ashes/dust to which we will return to one day.
The imposition of the ashes is in fact a visible admission of our readiness to
repent.
The second reading from the letter of St Paul speaks about being ambassadors for
Christ. Fr Tony raised a crucial question here. He asked “are we really?” He
went on to share an anecdote. A passion play was being staged in a particular
place. The cast were well trained and well-practiced. Everyone was doing well.
It was the scene of the carrying of the cross. Jesus walks on stage bearing the
cross. He is followed by a band of soldiers and a few onlookers. He staggers,
stumbles and falls to the ground in a very dramatic way. One of the soldiers
was supposed to whip just behind him to make it look like he was striking him.
But he took his part a little too seriously and decided to give Jesus a real
strike of the whip. Jesus abandons his cross, stands up in anger and slaps the
soldier hard across the face.
Addressing the religious he said that “we appear as heroes
of penance”. Our vows and way of life in general give that impression. Is this
real or only an appearance? St Paul
reminds us not to be actors but to be ambassadors, i.e. imitators, of Christ.
The Gospel according to Matthew narrates Jesus’ pointing out
the sham in religion. The religious leaders were living like hypocrites: making
a show of their piety and exalting themselves in the eyes of the people. Their
hearts were far from God and their lips mouthed empty words and formulae. Jesus
tries to revive the ‘why’ of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. He gives concrete
ways how this can be done. It is not actions but attitudes that Jesus
underlines. He is critical of religious showmanship and calls for authenticity.
Lent is a time of authenticity.
This year is special being the Jubilee of Mercy. Pope
Francis gives practical ways of living out mercy authentically, chiefly by
practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. He exhorted the
congregation to commend themselves to God’s mercy as they receive the ashes on
the heads and concluded with the prayer: “Jesus meek and humble of heart make
our hearts like unto thine.”
The homily was simple in its message and delivery. The ideas
followed coherently. The message for Lent was made clear and the need and
importance of the Lenten practices of fasting, almsgiving and reconciliation
were addressed. The homily set the tenor for Lent but was lacking in contextual
breaking of the Word and practical ways of living out the Word. A partial
application to context was attempted but it lacked the required force to
startle and be taken notice of. However, the idea and mood of Lent was
presented sufficiently well to enable a good beginning to the season.
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