remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return

from st. anthony messenger press - youth update, remembering the liturgies of Lent and Easter, 1993

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, so named for the ritual of being marked with ashes during this day's liturgy...a priest-friend of mine from Northern Ireland told the story of how the ashes took on a double meaning for him as a child. Prejudice and war were all around him, as centuries of injustice in Northern Ireland continued to take their toll. "The ashes just gave those who hated us a target to aim at," said Fr. Jim.

"Why didn't you just wipe off the ashes?" we'd ask.

"Because it was a sign of our loyalty to Christ," he said, "that we were will to suffer persecution for Jesus' sake."

There have been times that I've wanted to wipe off my ashes right after church so people wouldn't ask too many questions about the "dirt" on my head. Now I look at it as a gentle opportunity to witness to my faith, as I share the meaning of the ashes with those who aren't familiar with this custom.

i actually can recall a time when i'd wait until the 7:00 p.m. mass to get ashes, that way, i'd not have to go out in public with a smudge on my forehead. talk about vanity.

today i am going to 8:30 mass. i might even sit closer to the center and i know i want to take pictures of our altar - it is stunning. later today, i will be helping distribute ashes at our 4:00 p.m. service and will be lectoring at the 7:00 mass and have rcia afterward. i am so ready for this - i can't wait to see what God has in store this Lenten season!

pax Christi.