Ashes or Dust?

"I would rather be ashes than dust!" ~Jack London

Here we are coming into the second Sunday of Lent and I'm talking about ashes again.

But I know that some of you might still be struggling to get your Lenten journey started. You might still have the instructions, "Repent and believe the Good News" ringing in your ears, but you stand there asking, "How do I do that?"

I have a few suggestions, but first...

ASHES come from contact with fire. Scripture tells us that our God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29). Our faith will be tested with fire according to St. Peter (1 Peter 1:7). Jesus Himself said that He came to cast fire upon the earth (Luke 12:49). We are perfected and purified by fire.

DUST on the other hand comes from rotting and death. "To dust you will return," is another truth we are reminded of on Ash Wednesday. Decay comes from lack of movenment or malnutrition.

How does this help you on your Lenten journey? You must decide if you will be ashes or dust then decide to be transformed by the light and heat of Divine Love, or stagnate.

The refiner's fire is burning, and you can be made into pure gold through all the opportunities available through Holy Mother Church:

* Increase your prayer time
* Read Scripture daily
* Attend Mass on a week day
* Confession
* Add a devotion: Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Novenas
* Spend time in Eucharistic Adoration
* Attend a retreat
*Read a spiritual book

It's not too late to get started.

DON'T GET LEFT IN THE DUST!