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March 6, 2022Dear Parishioners,
Lent has officially begun. If you could not tell I really enjoy the Season of Lent for many reasons. For one, it gives me the motivation to take my spiritual life deeper. I remember when I was in seminary I found putting time aside for study difficult. So I would go and study with my classmates. Studying in the company of others made the act much easier. The Church takes that human need for community and applies it to facets of the spiritual life. Catholics throughout the world for the next several weeks will all be engaged in acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We do not experience Lent alone and that idea can be a powerful motivator.
Just last Wednesday we began Lent by placing ashes on our forehead. Why do we begin Lent in this way? Carl Sagan boldly proclaimed: “we are star-stuff” presumably because we are made from the elements found in stars. While this may lead to grandiose musings on nebulae and ashes, it is bad metaphysics. Reductionism is an erroneous way of understanding people and things. Yes, we are made from elements found in stars, but we are something different. It would be a mistake to equate the notion of star dust with the Ashes on our foreheads. In fact, it does damage to what it means to be a human being, what the true meaning of ashes is, and the fundamental reality and goal of the universe. What is fundamental about the universe and about reality is not star dust or atoms, it is God, who is a Trinity of persons. As Fr. Thomas White O.P. quipped, “the universe is persons all the way down.” In fact, the universe is geared toward personhood. Fundamentally human beings are not reducible to stars; we are rational beings; we are persons.
We were not created to be dust. In Genesis 3:19 God says to Adam after he sins, “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Ash, therefore, represents mortality as a result of sin. Prior to sin, human beings were God’s stewards; meant to reign eternally in the Garden. After the fall, mortality becomes a part of life and we return to the dust of which we were made. We place ashes on our forehead to remind us of our predicament. But they also symbolize repentance from sin, and intercessory prayer on behalf of others. We read in Job 42:6: “Therefore, I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” In 1 Maccabees 3:47 we read: “They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads.” Finally in Daniel 9:3 we read: “I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” So, ashes on Ash Wednesday are an ancient sign of remembering our mortality, repenting of sin, and interceding for others.
On a more practical note: A week or so ago I had a chance to go up on the roof of the church when we inspected our air conditioning units. I had a great view of Newport Avenue. I also posted the pictures to our Facebook page in case anyone is interested to see them. It gave me a chance to see the work that needs to be done to maintain the church. For instance, there are two small holes in our rubber roof that will need to be patched as soon as possible. In addition, the windowsills and glazing around our windows is badly in need of repair. I have already obtained quotes for the work, but given the shortages in workers and material it may take several months before the project can begin. I will keep the parish posted.
Finally, you will notice in our bulletin our Prayer Line. A dedicated group of parishioners volunteer to gather the intentions and needs of people who call. Anyone is welcome to call the Prayer Line to request prayers for a particular intention. Our Lord prays to the Father and in turn shows us how to pray.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
