Today is Ash Wednesday, a day that marks the beginning of Lent…the period of fasting, prayer, and service leading up to the holiest of holidays–Easter.
The palms from last year’s Palm Sunday are burned to create this year’s ashes. Later, at a mass, our foreheads are marked with the ashes in the sign of a cross.
“Repent and believe in the Gospel,” is one of the phrases you’re instructed as the minister’s thumb traces its way across your brow.
I love those chilling, haunting words.
“Be aware of your mortality, kid. You breathe because of the will of God. One day, you too will die. Years later, people probably won’t even remember that you existed.” <– This is what I pretend they're saying to me. I'm less poetic than holy mother Church.
Did I mention I love the Sign of the Cross generally? I love the Sign of the Cross.
As for my clothes, I wore a skirt that my coworker bought for me (get this) yesterday. I love her eye for style–she’s bought me things before and when I wear them I always receive rave reviews. The grey sweater was from last week’s thrift store binge! I went with heels because, come now, the ARCHBISHOP was at mass.
May you seek and experience the beauty of God in exciting ways this Lenten season.
My coworker bought me this skirt…is that not the dearest thing? And the sweater should look familiar from last week. 🙂 A pink scarf is the closest I have to penitent purple.
Pope Benedict XVI. I love him.