Photo was taken at St.Oliver’s Church, Ballyvolane, Cork (Irl)

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. A dark bowl of ashes may look stark and depressing. Next to the scriptures and next to our spiritual lives they take on a new meaning. Our Thought For Today below explores this a little more.

‘Lent is above all a time of prayer, for withdrawing a little from the hustle and bustle of daily life to be alone with God.’ ~Vincent Twomey

It seems like yesterday that we put away the Christmas decorations and here we are today celebrating Ash Wednesday. The last time it was this early was back in 1913 and it won’t start as early again until 2160. Why do we put dirty ashes on our foreheads today? It’s not a good luck charm but an outward sign that we’re mortal, fragile and merely pilgrims passing through this world. We take them to remind us that we are part of the creation of God and that we’re also equal in God’s eyes. They are also ashes of hope reminding others that we’re willing to do something positive in our spiritual lives. Lent may be early, we may not be quite ready for it but it has the promise and potential to be a worthwhile journey.