Well, not really. But hopefully I have your attention!  

As Christians, most of us are awaiting Ash Wednesday and Lent, with the hope of doing something different, in order to make us better people.

On Ash Wednesday, the priests and ministers will imprint our foreheads with a cross of ash. They will recite one of two phrases, "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

The ashes line, with variation, is also part of our burial rite. Some attribute it to Genesis while others refer to Job and Ecclesiastes. On the part of Genesis and Ecclesiastes, we are reminded that we come from the earth. For Job, the phrase is more repentant and humiliating because dust and ash are seen as undignified and unclean. Either way, we're reminded of our smallness, and the largeness of God's splendor and love.

I vacillate between wanting to enter Lent preferring one phrase over the other. I'm particularly mindful of wanting to be faithful to the Gospel, for it reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice born out of love. Jesus gives us the blueprint. Regardless of any wisdom from the Old Testament, Jesus' example and teaching leave us with a new commandment, to love one another.

As we think about our own Lenten practices, let us be mindful of the biggest challenge - not to give something up, but to love another. Let us pray, that as individuals and communities, we be mindful of the impact of our presence in the world. Let us also remember that this challenge doesn't end with Lent. In fact, as an Easter people, a baptized people, and as Marianists, we are called to bear Christ's presence to the world in our daily living.

Many weekend retreats (3 days) end with the phrase "live the fourth." It almost makes me think of the Triduum! May our Lenten retreat remind us that every day is the fourth!

Peace,

Matt Dunn

Editor