An Ash Wednesday story

Conne and I heard mass a while ago at Greenbelt Chapel, which is about a block away from my office.

Today is “Ash Wednesday” by the way, an important day for Catholics. It marks the first day of Lent. And is the only day that Catholics actually get to boldly walk around bearing a symbol of their faith, the cross-shaped, darkish ash that is marked on their foreheads.

What the priest said during his homily was very interesting (yes, I actually DO listen to homilies at times! Ha!). He had an acronym for each of the letters A, S, and H, of Ash Wednesday. And here’s how it goes:

A = Admit or Acknowledge

We have to admit or acknowledge our sins and our imperfection. This is the first step towards change.

S = Step forward

When you have your foreheads marked with an ashen cross, you actually step forward, among peers. And you do so because you acknowledge your sins and are willing to change. Stepping forward means being committed.

H = Hope

We have to do our part in mending our ways. But we also do this in hope that our faith will bring us God’s loving and saving grace.

I just also found out that Ash Wednesday isn’t actually a day of obligation for Catholics. And it’s also not a sin if you don’t participate in the administering of the ashes. This further strengthens the belief that change needs to come from the person and it should not be forced on him.

So, are you willing to acknowledge, step forward and hope? Remember, it’s your choice.

Cheers!