On Ash Wednesday marked by changes in ritual and circumstance, chief shepherd says Lenten sacrifice is about filling Jesus’ heart with joy

DETROIT — “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 

Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron reflected on these words of St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, which are meant not just for a specific people at a specific time, but are intended for the faithful here and today. 

Ash Wednesday — Feb. 17, 2021 — is a time of salvation, even amidst a pandemic that has caused much suffering and economic strife, he said — highlighted by the smaller congregation at St. Aloysius Parish in downtown Detroit, where many businesses continue to work remotely, and faithful electing to watch the Mass via livestream.

“The Church is making a very bold claim: even though Paul wrote this centuries ago, it’s about now,” Archbishop Vigneron said during his homily at St. Aloysius. “‘Now is an acceptable time.’ That’s what St. Paul is saying to you and me about Feb. 17, 2021, even in the middle of a pandemic.” 

Beyond the smaller congregation, estimated around 100, this year’s Ash Wednesday liturgy was different from prior years. Instead of using his thumb, the archbishop and the two priests assisting him sprinkled the ashes on the faithful’s heads, a custom that is traditional in many parts of the world. 

Reporters from local television stations and newspapers were present at St. Aloysius to cover the start of the Lenten season, when Catholics typically “give something up” or take on a resolution for the next 40 days. 

“The media is fascinated about our ritual of ashes,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “But we must understand the meaning of this ritual. It’s about you and me coming forward with our own personal assessment about where we might be separated from Christ. Perhaps it’s as little as gossip, or as great (a sin) as racism. We all have sins in our hearts, but we’re in recovery.” 

Lent as a time of personal self-reflection and atonement is part of a greater realization of how the world has been crippled by sin, which only Jesus heals, he said.

“Like most people, we know there is a problem (in the world); you don’t have to be a believer to see that,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Even sickness and death are bad fruits of original sin. God never meant it to be that way, but our first parents rebelled against God, and we’ve all been part of that. But we believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the risen Christ. He is the remedy for our sins.” 

Archbishop Vigneron said the Lenten season is “an opportunity for each of us to walk the path of repentance and recovery together.” 

“This is a time to refocus our recovery program,” Archbishop Vigneron said: “Forty days of saving grace. Forty days before the sacred paschal Triduum, to be ready to celebrate. Forty days to walk with the catechumens, who like us, will then be baptized.” 

After a year like 2020, when so many sacrifices were made — from lost jobs and financial security to family gatherings and traditions, and even lives lost — it may seem difficult to think of a proper Lenten resolution. 

But Archbishop Vigneron offered some advice: instead of asking what to give up, ask what Jesus wants. 

“Think about the perspective of Jesus as you concentrate on repentance and renewal. What’s in his mind? What’s Jesus thinking?” Archbishop Vigneron asked. “I suggest this: that you and I delight Him. We make his heart glad as we resolve to be more like Him. He is filled with delight at our resolve to receive more love from Him.” 

That might start with making a good confession, the archbishop added. 

“When we make that Lenten confession, when we go to the priest, and the priest in the name of Jesus says, ‘Yes, you’ve sinned, but God loves you and you are forgiven,’ in this moment, let’s give thanks to God that we’ve found atonement,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Let us praise the Lord for what He’s done, so we can live with God forever.”