Tuesday was a fun and exciting day at the Academy with Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day parties. A big thank you to all the parents who contributed, organized and/or were present as leaders in the festivities.
We launched the liturgical season of Lent with an all-school Ash Wednesday Liturgy. During the liturgy each person received ashes on their forehead. The meaning of the ashes is often brought up as a question—especially by the younger children. Historically ashes represent “repentance.” You may recall, for example, that Job repents “in dust and ashes.” By the 10th century, the practice of using ashes was tied to the period before Easter for the purpose of signifying “…that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten fast.” By the 11th century, the practice was widespread throughout the church.
The word “repent” is not a word we often use in the 21st century. Yet, interestingly, it was Jesus’ first recorded word in at least two Gospels (Mark 1:15, Matthew 4:17). I love the fact that the word which Jesus used (and which is most often translated into English as “repent”) literally means change! For that, in fact, is a simple way of understanding the value of the Lenten invitations. They are meant to engage us in activities that help us to change. Our change is meant to turn us to God. We are asked to do so, so that our attitudes and actions might be in alignment with Jesus’ and thus open us to be more deeply in relationship with the God who so desperately loves us and who so earnestly desires our love in return.
May each of our Lenten journeys bear fruit in our lives and loves,
Maureen Glavin, rscj
