Diocese of KalamazooOffice of the Bishop


Bishop James A. Murray
Ash Wednesday Homily
February 6, 2008

The Church gives us 2 formulas for the giving of ASHES and both are taken from Sacred Scripture.  One is based on the Book of Genesis 3:19: “Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return” The other is from the Gospel of St. Mark 1:15: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”

The 1st formula is a much needed reminder of our mortality and weakness.  The 2nd formula calls us to action especially during the 40 days of Lent.  The action or actions which we choose should include the 3 of which Jesus spoke in the Gospel for this Ash Wednesday – Prayer, Fasting or self-denial, almsgiving or charitable sharing with the poor.

While on vacation last month, I read this excellent little book – “Amish Grace – How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy”.  The tragedy referred to was the murder of 5 young Amish school girls by a deranged killer.

I recommend that all of us take a lesson from the Amish who impressed the world by the way that they reacted to this tragic, senseless slaughter of innocent children.

During this Lent focus on forgiveness – both your need to be forgiven and your need to forgive others – even as the Amish of Lancaster County Pennsylvania did.

One part of the book describes the Amish “communion” seasons which occur twice each year.  The communion season is a month long.  They celebrate the Eucharist only on 2 Sundays each year.  But they prepare themselves for 4 weeks – during which they ponder on the 18th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel and Jesus’ response to Peter’s question:
“Lord, when my brother wrongs me, how often must I forgive him?  Seven times?”

        During those 4 weeks, the Amish leaders encourage the people “to forgive one another and purge their hearts of bitterness, to confess their sins, to forgive (all) others, to give themselves up completely to God…”  so that they can celebrate HARMONY in the communion service 4 weeks later.

Too often many of us fail to prepare as we ought to receive Holy Communion.  We can learn from the Amish.  For the Amish communion is essentially a celebration of the UNITY of (their) Church as the people of God.  For them forgiveness is a central concern of Amish faith.

It should be that for us as well.  This year may the 7 weeks of Lent be truly a “communion season” with a deep dimension in which we strive to be both FORGIVEN and FORGIVING, to abandon grudges to be rid of all bitterness.  As the Amish believe this necessary in order to live in harmony with God and “be faithful to the Gospel”.