Faithful asked to show sincerity, compassion as Lent begins

FILE: An elder of the Kamuning First United Methodist Church marks the forehead of a police officer with a cross, along Kamuning Road in Quezon City on Wednesday (Feb. 22, 2023). Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten season. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula called on the faithful to commemorate the season of Lent with sincerity, compassion and love for others.

“Let the ashes on our head remind us to pray with sincerity of heart, fast in genuine solidarity with the ones who are suffering, and give alms out of hearts that are truly contrite and compassionate,” he said in his homily during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila chapel in Intramuros, Manila.

Advincula also asked Filipinos to practice charity, pray and fast “without selfishness, deception, or showing off”.

“Let’s serve to inspire love, instead of seeking to please others or satisfy our ego,” he added.

He also asked the faithful to keep in mind that everything changes and passes as time goes by.

“We receive ashes to be reminded of our creaturehood. We are creatures, we are not the creator. God created us out of dust. We are limited, vulnerable and mortal/ In the same manner all things in the created world are like dust, changing and passing,” he added.

Advincula also reminded the faithful that God’s love is the only thing that lasts forever.

“The ashes we (have) on our heads are shaped as crosses in order to remind us of the love of God. Often when we encounter trials in life we fall into depression and despair. But today God is mercifully encouraging us, the little that we are is utterly precious to God. We are created out of love, we are created for love,” the cardinal added.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day period of prayer and penance to remember the life, passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Some churches have reverted to applying ashes on the forehead as most pandemic curbs have eased.