Ash Wednesday

An exceptionally long winter both in terms of difficult weather and Lent coming later than usual finally brings us to this day. We notice people walking around with black marks on their foreheads.

Your tradition may or may not practice Ash Wednesday. Whether you observe this day or not, we are approaching Resurrection Sunday, and these coming weeks serve to prepare our hearts for that celebration.

Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. At the end of that time, the devil approached him with temptations. It may seem the worst possible moment, while Jesus felt weakened by hunger. But in reality the spiritual discipline of fasting actually meant Jesus felt stronger than usual, ready to take on the challenge, and he did emerge victorious.

Our weeks of Lent can strengthen us in much the same way. Sometimes we sacrifice something we will return to come Easter, such as eating meat. Other times we may give up something we'd be better off without permanently, like smoking. Whatever we chose to do to observe these days, allow the discipline to reorient your life and priorities.

I like to use this season to clean up my personal discipline from the sloth of winter. I am glad the time has come, and hope not only to re-energize my resolve, but to add some new habits.

Dirty forehead or not, I hope your Ash Wednesday begins a season of growth.