Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church

“Lord make us turn to You, show us your face and we shall be saved.” -Psalm 80:3

Prayer: Lord, be the joy of my heart. Help me return to You. To see You, to hear Your voice and love You. 

Why do I smile on Ash Wednesday? 

For some people they might think that it is odd that I would smile on Ash Wednesday, and that is understandable. As human beings we think discursively, meaning one thought at a time. So, when they see me smile on Ash Wednesday, they don’t know all that I may already have considered. With all the thoughts that have passed through my mind, I have come to the conclusion that on Ash Wednesday a smile is a proper response. 

Yes, of course there is sin. Sin is a serious matter. It is a failure to love. A failure to make present the love that God created us for, created us to live in. We can fail to love God directly, which is very serious. We can fail to love God in our neighbor, which again is very serious. We know then pain when others fail to love us; and the pain that we cause God and others when we fail to love can be so much greater. But even in the face of sin, when we look to God, we can see reason to smile, as God gives us a greater love to make up for our failure to Love. I can smile because repentance puts me face to face with this greater Love. I smile because knowing the seriousness of sin, I see more deeply the beautiful gift of His love and His life to me. 

Yes, Lent is a penitential season. In the beginning, 40 days of an extra penance might seem daunting. Why put yourself through a struggle? Pray more, fast more, give more alms... Well, the penance is to increase our love. To help us live that greater love. We pray to get to know God, to talk to Him, to hear His voice, to know His presence, the way He moves in our soul, to experience life lived with and in Him. We fast to make room for God, Give up something smaller for something infinitely greater. We give alms to know what it means to share the blessings, the goodness of the Lord, to taste the goodness of what is lived in the communion of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This life shared. And if God’s grace favors us enough, we will have the opportunity to pray, fast, or give alms “to someone who doesn’t deserve it.” Meaning someone who we are challenged to help. Why is this a favor? Perhaps because then we get a taste of the Love that uttered the words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) We know an understand in our own souls the love with which God loves us. Knowing that God desires to put such a love into your heart would make you smile, I would think. 

Even in the face of trial and difficulty with our eyes on God there is reason to smile. Yes, we may be pushed to the edge, tempted intensely, but today I can smile because I know that I will not be tested beyond my ability (1 Corinthians 10:13). I will be challenged, tried in the fires, but I have chosen the crucible that God has chosen for me. Through it all, I desire to grow in my love of God, and even more than I desire to grow in my love of God, God desires it more for me. Today I smile because I know repentance has placed me face to face with God, I am present to Him, I know that He is there, I desire my heart to be His and we are in this together. I smile because I have placed my trust and confidence in God. And looking at Him I see no reason not to smile.

May God richly bless you!

-Fr. Jeremy

**Reflections based on Liturgy and readings for the day. (For readings on the USCCB website click here). Today's reflection is based on the notion that repentance means to turn back. To turn back to God is to see Him face to face, to be present to God and know that He is present, available to you. To still see the seriousness of sin, to see what God has done in a beautiful light. And to smile is another take on the Gospel to have a heart that is changed when we pray fast and give alms.