Ash Wednesday - Are You Catholic?

It was Ash Wednesday today, the first day of Lent, a Catholic period of soul-searching and sacrifice in preparation for Easter. For the last 12 years I've been teaching in a Catholic school, so on most Ash Wednesday's I've gone with my students to church to get the symbolic cross of ashes on my forehead. Most religions have the potential to help a person develop the spiritual dimension of their lives.



The last few years, however, I've had an afternoon shift on Wednesdays and consequently have missed getting the ashes. The symbolism is powerful and humbling . . . from ashes to ashes. Yes, our bodies are mortal reminding us to cherish the life we're given and try to grow from our experiences, good and bad. I'm working on Chapter 6 of Hereafter and Fallon is about to attend her first orientation meeting with all the other newcomers in the quadrant of heaven where the souls from Earth go.

Yes, our bodies eventually give out, but our souls will live on and our short lives here on Earth are probably much more about how we can grow spiritually than about where we'll spend eternity.

Just one writer's opinion . . .