Priest: Ash Wednesday reminds man’s sinful nature, God’s mercy

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines –  There is a need for repentance and deep reflection of man’s sinful nature and God’s immense love and mercy for His people.

This was the gist of the homily of Father Hendrix Alar, head of the Commission on Youth of the Diocese of Dumaguete, during the Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday noon.

Alar, reminding the faithful of the biblical passage—“From dust unto dust shall you return”—said this is not only the focus of the imposition of ashes, but for man to go deeper into reflection, as the ashes teaches us about humility, as when the ashes fall to the ground and become absorbed by it.

The word humility is derived from the word humus, or earth, a symbol of lowliness, he said.

As the Christian world enters into the Lenten season of repentance, penance and prayer, Alar said people are asked to posture themselves as humble beings seeking God’s forgiveness and mercy.

The ashes imposed on the foreheads of the people on Ash Wednesday symbolized an opportunity for two important things: Repentance and God’s mercy, said the priest.

“Repentance in that we recall how sinful we are and how far we have strayed away from God but at the same time to also experience the power of God’s mercy that despite how unclean we are, we can still embrace God’s mercy,” said Alar.

The priest, who headed the 56-member youth delegation from the Diocese of Dumaguete to the recently concluded 51st International Eucharistic Congress held in Cebu City, also expressed anticipation over Lent being the best season for the young people to live out their experience as regards the Eucharist.

Alar admitted that there are many young people today who are only “seasonal” when attending the Eucharistic celebrations, mostly during Christmas time but not quite during the Lenten period.

Alar called on the active youth in the diocese to reach out to the peripheries and encourage the other young people to return to God and let them know that God has a “profound love for them.”

Ash Wednesday signals the start of the 40-day period of Lent, highlighted by alms giving, fasting and prayer, he explained. The faithful must seek God’s grace to be able to sustain these all throughout the Lenten season, especially focusing a deepening of prayer, Alar added. (FREEMAN NEWS)