The blessed ashes no longer are visible, but their message still resonates: you are dust and into dust you shall return; repent and believe the Good News. These exhortations warn of the brevity of life and the impending dangers resulting from the folly of sin. Hopefully they will motivate us to repent; help us to believe the message of love and forgiveness that Jesus proclaimed, and trust in his promise of a new and lasting life.
The reception of ashes has little value in itself; it is merely an external reminder of the inner transformation of our lives; dying to self and living in Christ.
The donning of rich, fancy clothes does not make a person better than a poor beggar, who is dressed in rags; one's external attire is easily misleading.
A wealthy person can live a sinful life, while a person in dire need can be a living saint. The personality; the inner persona, of both the rich or poor person is what makes one a better person; not the external glamour of our body or our costly garments.
Financial status, positions of power and fame are not requisites for salvation, but loving compassion for the poor, the weak and the notorious are hallmarks of followers of Jesus and stepping stone to sanctity.
As we stand before our spiritual "mirror;" Jesus, what do we see; what do we need to do to become more Christ-like?
Lent is not a time for "giving up"sweets or TV, but a period of spiritual conversion. Giving up certain food and legitimate pleasures; fasting, abstaining and self discipline are means of strengthening our wills, and a reminder that all material things, including our very lives are passing, and are valuable only to the extent that they help prepare us for eternal life.
During Lent, we seek to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and pray for the strength to make the changes necessary to follow, love and serve Jesus more faithfully. We are all sinners in need of repentance; a spiritual conversion, and the humility to bow to the will of God. God's plan for us frequently seems to be a mystery, but it is the best possible way to salvation.
The sufferings, trials and hardships of life are the spiritual "leaves" which God uses to enhance our "tree" of life; our soul, and the more readily and patiently we endure them, with his help, the more spiritual "fruit" we will produce.
Jesus bore his cross readily and achieved our salvation. He cautions us to do the same — "Unless you take up your cross daily and follow me, you can not be my disciple."
Our cross may be the need to forgive those who have offended us, or to ask forgiveness of someone we may have offended, or it may be to love someone who is not so loveable. Our physical "crosses" may be difficult to accept, but they can lead us to holiness, while failure to bear our spiritual "crosses" are more destructive; they burden us with sin; prevent us from recognizing Christ in others and lead to separation from Jesus.
Lent is a time to listen to the clarion exhortation of Jesus; to repent, change our ways and believe that Jesus loves us; seeks to forgive us and promises eternal Life to all who will bear their cross and follow him. Don't waste another Lent! Love one another!