On This Ash Wednesday, I Remind myself that I came from Dust, and to dust I shall return.
Everyone has a story, a struggle, a vision and a dream. In my story, throughout the years since my birth to now, has been a struggle with many things, especially anxiety and mixed feelings of not being good enough no matter how hard I try.
OK, I know how it sounds but hey, everyone have their moments, those times that uplift you and the others that just bring you completely down with feelings of being worthless.
Well, I have a great vision for myself, my family, my princess and my business. I want to get there, how i dreamed it, and the journey, has not been easy, neither will it be as i push forward but I am optimistic since, if I have survived, throughout all obstacles that have come in my way, then, with prayer, faith and grace, I shall get to the point of abundance. I have been ignorant and afraid for a long time, but not anymore.
Yesterday, was the last day of February 2017, I remember asking myself ‘what are you afraid of?’ thinking through, I realized that am afraid of success, letting people down, of failing and lacking, but when I thought of it, isn’t that the essence of life? the ups and down? It cannot just be calm.
I am choosing to get rid of those elements within and without me that are pushing me down and into the darkness. It’s never too late, right?
So I have chosen today, Ash Wednesday as the beginning of this journey for the rest of my life. As I write this article, I am aware of the challenges ahead and I am sure it is not going to be easy (i never liked easy stuff anyway). I am taking my first step today. I am going to (in this period of lent) submit myself to the power of God and the Holy Spirit. I have fought doubt, fear, hate for a long time and my muscle are still strong, and I have the hope that I will emerge victorious, I just need to keep at it, so in this period of lent, I choose to be a better person than I am now.
So, what is Ash Wednesday and why choose this day?
First of all, I have missed numerous ash Wednesday and the actual Easter festivities which to me (as a catholic) were well embedded in me by my mother since childhood. I want to pray more, learn to have great faith in the higher power that belongs to God, the creator of Heaven and Earth, the reason I now breath and write what now you read and share.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.
Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person’s forehead, he speaks the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.
Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.
Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year’s palm Sunday Mass.
It is important to remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.
Why we receive the ashes
Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told
“Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return.”
Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
So, it is my ardent desire that in the next 46 days, I shall humble myself before God, my intention during this period is to avoid being sinful and engaging in actions that are against the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ (it will not be easy) with constant prayer and humility. I have a desire to prosper in the ways of the spirit, because in so doing, I shall uplift myself and those around me to a better life, of peace, love and prosperity.
This Lent period of 2017, I booked it in my calendar over a month ago, that is how deeply i felt the need to just turn my life to a more strict and Godly life style, because, recently, I realized that, God care for what we are passionate about, and instead of being ignorant, let us embrace His words, Teaching and Have faith in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
God Above Everything.
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Have a Blessed Easter.
