From dust we came, to dust we will return.

Ash Wednesday: From dust we came, to dust we will return, now redeemed by love.

 I participated in Ash Wednesday for the first time on 5 Mar 2014.  In this picture, I wear the dust and the sign of the cross, as my badge of honour.

On Ash Wednesday, the priest or minister places marks the foreheads of believers with black ashes in the sign of the cross which the worshipper retains until it wears off. It acts as a reminder of human mortality, and as a sign of repentance to God.  The ashes used are gathered from the burning of the palms from previous year’s Palm Sunday.

At Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Singapore, Father Gregory Van Giang shared that “Remember we are dust, and to dust we will return.” (Gen 3:19).  When the sign of the cross was marked, the priests/ministers say “Repent and believe in Jesus (Mark 1:15).

 

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. Lent is Quadragesima in Latin, meaning Fortieth. Lent is  a period of 40 days of self-imposed fasting, repentance and almsgiving in the Catholic liturgical calendar.  It is symbolic of Christ’s 40 days of temptation in the desert to prepare for the celebration of his passion, death and resurrection.

Lent ash reminds us to transform the dust in our life. It is an invitation to confront our own weaknesses, to get rid of ways of life that are between us and the person we ought to me.  It is a time to look inward, as well as outward, towards works of service for others.  Prayer to remind us to turn away from temptation, Fasting to seek a true sense of purpose and Generosity to the poor with almsgiving.

Our hearts and minds are focused on understanding that we are redeemed by sacrifice and mercy, and that we are always loved by God.