To the Band of Brothers: March 3, 2022

Yesterday at the Ash Wednesday Mass you will hopefully recall I preached about the significance of the ashes we received on our foreheads. You will (again, hopefully) recall I mentioned they are a symbol of our finitude and limitations. Ultimately, a reminder that God exists and we are definitely not Him.

I referred to the Avengers and the villain Thanos who, acting as if he were God, scours the universe collecting the infinity stones at all cost to power his gauntlet and decide who lives and who dies. At the snap of a finger, he heartlessly eliminates half the world’s population as they dissolve to ashes (like the Ash Wednesday ashes).

I want to be sure we all understand, while Thanos is a fictional character, his behavior is a reflection of real life. Too often we walk around thinking too highly of ourselves as if we were gods. We think we can always be in charge, always feel entitled as if we deserve what’s good even if we don’t earn it or work for it. We too often act as if the world revolves around us.

Well, it doesn’t. Remember, the world doesn’t owe you anything. You owe it. Actually, you owe God (the one, true, and only God). But, since His Son rightfully expressed that, “whatever you do for one of these least of my brothers, you do for me” (Matthew 25:40), you owe it to the world as well. 

Want another example of a real-life Thanos? Go no further than Russia. While I do not pretend to understand perfectly the ins and outs of everything going on, while I do not claim to be an expert on geopolitical matters, Putin seems to be acting like Thanos. As a powerful leader desiring not only to keep, but extend his power, he bullies his way into Ukraine in order to add an “infinity stone” to his gauntlet of power. At the snap of a finger, he calls for the elimination of the sovereignty of millions of people. That is scary. Is it no wonder Pope Francis asked that yesterday our prayers and fasting be focused on this particular situation?

Ash Wednesday intentionally reminds us we are not God. Only God is God. If we are true and sincere with ourselves, it is oftentimes a bitter pill to swallow. Ash Wednesday and the whole season of Lent help us understand our humble and rightful place. Whatever power we wield, whatever success we earn, whatever riches we have, should be wielded, earned, and had for the greater glory of God, not our own.

Auspice Maria.