The readings of Ash Wednesday establish the theme of Lenten penance — a call to interior conversion. The Gospel passage is from the sermon on the mount where Jesus reveals the basic ethic of his kingdom. His concern is to bring observance of the law from a mere external act into the inner realm of intention. Jesus’ new commandments here are nothing more than an interiorization of the old. Almsgiving (works of charity), praying, and fasting are the three fundamental practices of any religious life, and they must spring from the heart and go hand in hand with each other. Almsgiving without prayer and fasting lacks a spiritual dimension. Prayer without fasting and charity is an exercise in self-expression, navel-gazing, or wishful thinking. Fasting without charity and prayer becomes self-centered physical conditioning.

Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are not purely individual religious matters. "Me and God" exercises quickly become egocentric. Our relationship with God is always mediated through the community, and anything that has to do with that relationship cannot escape being part of our relationship with our brothers and sisters. As a people, we do charity, we pray, and we fast together (vv 15-16). What we do in private, as the Gospel counsels, must serve to nourish our community activity as well as personalize it.

The verses chosen from this great psalm of David’s repentance emphasize the spirit of inner conversion as not only emptying oneself of sin but filling one with joy. Response: "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned."

The conversion-journey of catechumens preparing for Easter initiation gives a foundation and motivation for the Lenten practice of the rest of the community. It is up to the already formed Christian community to accompany them on their journey, to welcome them, to give them an example of reconciliation (5:20-21), and to share a sense of urgency in responding to God’s call (6:2).

1. What sort of "Lenten penance" could both follow Jesus’ command of secrecy and still benefit the whole Christian community?

2. What is the significance of ashes in expressing conversion?