Ash Wednesday - February 22, 2023

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 Joel 2:12-18 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Today’s readings confirm for me who we are and how we are to live our lives. In the second reading, Paul tells us that we “are ambassadors for Christ.” The original “ambassadors” were the Apostles who were called by Jesus to spread the gospel message. These “ambassadors” left behind everything to preach the Word of God at great personal peril and with no fanfare. Paul reminds us that we, too, are Apostles and that we are God’s eyes, ears, and hands on this earth. We should remember our unique and special role in our everyday interactions with others. Do good and be good!

In the first reading, Joel reminds us that practicing our faith, as ambassadors for Christ, is not a passive activity. Instead, Joel instructs us to “blow the trumpet!” “call an assembly” and to take other
affirmative action to offer ourselves to God. In other words, we shouldn’t sit back and expect others to carry the faith. It is our job, as ambassadors for Christ, to spread the gospel message everyday in everything that we do.

Importantly, when we spread the gospel message as ambassadors for Christ, Joel reminds us to “rend [o]ur hearts, not [o]ur garments” and Matthew also warns us not to be like the “hypocrites” who look “gloomy” and publicly profess their faith so that others may see them. I think what Joel and Matthew are telling us is to not act like certain people who spend their time bragging about all that they do. Instead, develop your private relationship with God. Pray early, pray often, and spend time in private reflection while also serving as an ambassador for Christ.

Q: How can I be a better ambassador for Christ? What can I do today to spread the gospel message?

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