Today we begin the sacred season of Lent through our observance of Ash Wednesday. The sign of ashes that we dare to bare upon our forehead remind us of our death and our need to do penance. Due to the consequences of the Fall we are told, “By the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” With our mortality placed into perspective we should move day by day towards to God. It is sin which creeps into our life and keeps us from entering into union with Him. We now mourn due to this reality because we see the great length that Christ is willing to endure by embracing the cross out of love for us. May this Lenten season be a time of renewal that draws us closer to Christ by ridding ourself of all that gets in the way of entering into relationship with Him. This is what is symbolized by the ashes that will be marked upon your forehead, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
