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Student Reflection: Ash Wednesday Mass
Mia Menendez '25 provided the student reflection at Ash Wednesday Mass on March 5, 2025.
Good morning, Friars. My name is Mia Menendez, of the class of 2025. Today’s Mass marks the beginning of the important season of Lent for the Christian Church.
Over the past couple days, I am sure you have been contemplating what you are going to give up for the Lenten season: maybe Starbucks or social media; or a habit that you are going to change: perhaps making it a point to pray before bed each night. As we make these choices, Jesus encourages us to consider our motivation: to strengthen our faith, to avoid toxic behavior on social media, or in the case of Starbucks, maybe to take that money and give it to a worthwhile cause.
In the Gospel reading for today’s Mass, Jesus speaks about prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. These three pillars have traditionally been seen as key principles of conversion; the goal for Lent. In His address to His disciples, Jesus repeatedly warns against doing these actions in front of others.
Now, you might wonder, does this mean I should not pray, give alms, or fast? Does this mean I should only pray in private? Does this mean I should not fast on Fridays or receive ashes on Ash Wednesday?
Over the past couple days, I am sure you have been contemplating what you are going to give up for the Lenten season: maybe Starbucks or social media; or a habit that you are going to change: perhaps making it a point to pray before bed each night. As we make these choices, Jesus encourages us to consider our motivation: to strengthen our faith, to avoid toxic behavior on social media, or in the case of Starbucks, maybe to take that money and give it to a worthwhile cause.
In the Gospel reading for today’s Mass, Jesus speaks about prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. These three pillars have traditionally been seen as key principles of conversion; the goal for Lent. In His address to His disciples, Jesus repeatedly warns against doing these actions in front of others.
Now, you might wonder, does this mean I should not pray, give alms, or fast? Does this mean I should only pray in private? Does this mean I should not fast on Fridays or receive ashes on Ash Wednesday?
No, this is not what Jesus is saying.
Instead, Jesus is warning us against fake spirituality. He is warning us against striving “to be seen”and then praised by others for doing good works. Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday should not be seen as an opportunity to parade around with ashes on our forehead, so others acknowledge that we are practicing Catholics. We wear the ashes proudly to encourage others to join us in seeking to live anew the spirit of conversion, and the preparatory season of Lent for Easter.
Jesus desires that we give alms, pray, and offer sacrifices. However, in doing so, he asks that we consider our motivation, and be sure that we are doing these acts in a spirit of humility, faithfulness, and love for God. There is a quote by a renowned American author, H. Jackson Brown Jr., that says: “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”
My paternal grandmother, Norma, is a wonderful example of what it means to live a humble Christian life. When she struggled to conceive, my grandma prayed to Saint Anne, the patron saint of mothers and women in labor, promising to name any daughters she might bear, “Anna.” After conceiving her first daughter, Anna María, my grandma had Anna Margarita. My dad, if he were a girl, would have been Anna Beatriz — the third Anna.
My grandma approached her prayer and good works with trust, humility, and a true love for God and His saints; not seeking to be seen and praised by others, but rather to trustingly seek guidance and strength during her setbacks.
During this season of Lent, I encourage you to consider the motivation behind your acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, keeping in mind that Jesus wants our motivation to be only to please God. Let us strive to be ambassadors of Christ; role models to our peers. May we carry out good works, not for the praise and attention of others, but rather for the good of our Heavenly Father and those we serve.
H. Jackson Brown Jr. reminds us, “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”
Read more student reflections.
Instead, Jesus is warning us against fake spirituality. He is warning us against striving “to be seen”and then praised by others for doing good works. Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday should not be seen as an opportunity to parade around with ashes on our forehead, so others acknowledge that we are practicing Catholics. We wear the ashes proudly to encourage others to join us in seeking to live anew the spirit of conversion, and the preparatory season of Lent for Easter.
Jesus desires that we give alms, pray, and offer sacrifices. However, in doing so, he asks that we consider our motivation, and be sure that we are doing these acts in a spirit of humility, faithfulness, and love for God. There is a quote by a renowned American author, H. Jackson Brown Jr., that says: “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”
My paternal grandmother, Norma, is a wonderful example of what it means to live a humble Christian life. When she struggled to conceive, my grandma prayed to Saint Anne, the patron saint of mothers and women in labor, promising to name any daughters she might bear, “Anna.” After conceiving her first daughter, Anna María, my grandma had Anna Margarita. My dad, if he were a girl, would have been Anna Beatriz — the third Anna.
My grandma approached her prayer and good works with trust, humility, and a true love for God and His saints; not seeking to be seen and praised by others, but rather to trustingly seek guidance and strength during her setbacks.
During this season of Lent, I encourage you to consider the motivation behind your acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, keeping in mind that Jesus wants our motivation to be only to please God. Let us strive to be ambassadors of Christ; role models to our peers. May we carry out good works, not for the praise and attention of others, but rather for the good of our Heavenly Father and those we serve.
H. Jackson Brown Jr. reminds us, “Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”
Read more student reflections.
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