Last Saturday standing at the bank of Tejo River in Portugal, the tour guide showed us all a huge world map engraved in stone showing in how many countries Portugal in past centuries had established its colonies. Now only a small power and even smaller territory, Portugal, except for the famous footballer Ronaldo, is hardly recognized on the world stage. “The sun never sets on the British Empire”, spoke about how widespread and powerful it was. But then were we not asked in our history exams about the “Rise and Fall” of many such Empires? Where are they now? While on their conquering spree, did they ever stop to think about more profound things related to their souls, their God? Jesus says in the gospel, “What does it profit a man if he wins the whole world and loses his soul?”
It is to remind us of our spiritual destiny, of where our souls are headed as we sojourn this earth, the Church sets aside a special forty days called the “Lenten” period. Today, the Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, when Christians will be urged to examine their spiritual life. The liturgy, through its various spiritual exercises, will pose soul-searching questions before us about our priorities in life.
In Church services today the priest will apply ashes, first on his own head and then on the foreheads of the faithful using the words, “Remember, man/woman, thou art dust and unto dust thou shall return”. May be those who set out on the vast blue waters leaving their shores in greed of wealth and power never paid attention to these words. Or they were too busy planning exploitation of peoples to even find time to listen to God’s inner churnings in their souls. Pope Francis in his message for the Lenten season reminds Christians, Church’s age-old practice to use this sacred time in “prayer, fasting and almsgiving”.
He says, “By devoting more time to prayer, we enable our heart to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation that God offers…. Almsgiving sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbour as a brother or sister. What I possess is never mine alone… Fasting weakens our tendency to violence; it disarms us and becomes an important opportunity for growth… It expresses our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God”. He then goes on to say, “I would like my invitation to extend beyond the bounds of the Catholic Church, and reach all of you, men and women of good will, who are open to hearing God’s voice…”. Launching on hearing God’s voice in prayer can help us all make this world a better place for ourselves and for the coming generations.
