Ashes to Ashes

Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.

So begins our Lenten observance every year, and one of my favorite days to be Catholic. I like walking around with my dirty forehead and declaring for the whole world that I am indeed a member of the One True Church, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. I like putting it all out there in black and white. There is a personal challenge in having a cross written upon my forehead, a call to holiness.

For one day, my Christian faith is evident for all to see in a physical form. What of the rest of the days? The challenge we accept on Ash Wednesday is for our faith to be visible, not only on this one day, but every day of our lives. A quote attributed to St Francis says, “Preach the Gospel always. If necessary use words.”

Do I live this way? Is my life a testimony in itself of my faith, or are my words necessary to convince others of my belief? If I have to tell you I am a Christian, then I have failed. The cross on my forehead today should not be a surprise, it should be expected. People should not question, “Oh, are you a Catholic?” but say rather, “Of course you are.”

This is the unspoken challenge of Ash Wednesday, the call to live everyday as though there were a cross emblazoned on my brow.

Happy Ash Wednesday Everyone! May your cross surprise no one today, and may you accept the daily challenge that it offers.