Lenten Reflection: Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day
15 Feb 2024
Today may have two meanings. However, February 14 being both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s day can actually make things more complicated in some ways. Do we celebrate the Day of Hearts through a sumptuous meal with loved ones or do we abstain from indulging too much because it’s the beginning of Lent? Can we say Happy Valentines when such a joyous greeting may not be appropriate for Ash Wednesday which commemorates our Lord’s painful journey? Will it feel fitting to give and receive flowers and chocolates, signs of life and celebration, with the ash on our forehead reminding us of mortality?
When we think about it, though, perhaps these two occasions we have today need not contradict each other. In fact, in their very essence, they share one common reason and origin: love. Valentine’s Day, perhaps removed from all the fanfare, is simply about expressing the love we have for particular persons. And Ash Wednesday is an invitation to begin journeying with God once more and witness this amazing love offered to us which peaked at death but gave us life. And so while they may seem different, today’s combination of Valentines and Ash Wednesday can be a special and unique reminder to continue giving and receiving love from fellow created spirits and from the Creator.
With this year’s rare merging of these two distinct observances, there may be invitations to reflect on certain questions: What does this day mean for you? How can you allow more love to be present in your words and actions? Where is God’s offer of salvation and love leading you?
May dalawang maaaring kahulugan ang araw na ito. Subalit dahil itong Pebrero 14 ay parehong Miyerkules ng Abo at Araw ng mga Puso kung kaya maaaring maging mas kumplikado ang mga bagay-bagay. Magdiriwang ba tayo sa isang espesyal na kainan kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay o iiwas na magpakasasa sapagkat simula ng Kuwaresma? Maaari ba tayong magsabi ng Maligayang Araw ng mga Puso kung ang ganitong masayang pagbati ay maaaring di angkop sa Miyerkules ng Abo na pagbabalik-tanaw sa masakit na pagdurusa ng Panginoon? Nararapat bang magbigay at tumanggap ng mga bulaklak at tsokolate, na mga tanda ng buhay at pagdiriwang, samantalang may abo tayo sa noo na nagpapaalala ng mortalidad?
Subalit kung tutuusin, marahil hindi kailangang magkasalungat itong dalawang okasyon ngayong araw. Katunayan, sa kanilang diwa, iisa ang kanilang pinagsasaluhang dahilan at pinagmulan: pag-ibig. Kung tatanggalin ang mga kinang ng pagdiriwang, ang Araw ng mga Puso ay tungkol sa pagpapahayag ng pagmamahal natin sa mga natatanging kapwa. At ang Miyerkules ng Abo ay isang paanyaya na muling makilakbay sa Diyos at saksihan itong kamangha-manghang pag-ibig na iniaalok sa atin na humantong sa kamatayan subalit nagkaloob sa atin ng buhay. Kung kaya bagaman maaaring magkaiba, ang pagsasabay ng Araw ng mga Puso at Miyerkules ng Abo ay maaaring isang natatanging paalala na patuloy na magbahagi at tumanggap ng pagmamahal mula sa mga kapwa nilikha at mula sa Tagapaglikha.
Sa pambihirang pagsasama nitong dalawang magkaibang paggunita, marahil may paanyaya na magnilay sa ilang mga tanong: Ano ang kahulugan nitong araw para sa iyo? Paano mo tutulutan ang higit pang pagmamahal na umiral sa iyong mga salita at pagkilos? Saan ka ibinubunsod ng handog na kaligtasan at pag-ibig ng Diyos?
#aihlentenreflections #ateneoishome
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