Wednesday 22 February

ASH WEDNESDAY

(Fast day for 18 to 59 year olds. Abstinence from meat for those 14 and over)

Joel 2: 12-18, Psalm 51: 3-6 & 12-14, 17,
2 Cor 5: 20-6: 2, Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

What’s the real point?

The tradition of depriving ourselves of food and perhaps of some forms of drink, today and during Lent, is to contribute to the poor what we have saved through our self-denial. This almsgiving is an act of mercy as we prepare to celebrate the greatest ever act of Mercy, our Lord’s passion and death. Our Lenten observance is also a way of getting ready to celebrate his glorious Resurrection.