Ash Wednesday Reflection

Today is Ash Wednesday.

Growing up, I went to a Catholic school where we had Mass each morning before class. (This was a long, long time ago!)

I vividly remember the priest putting a liberal thumbfull of ashes on my forehead at some point during the service, saying: "Remember man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return."

Especially in grade school, it made quite an impression on me - ushering in 40 days of fasting (on Fridays), and being asked to "give up something," enjoyable during that season. It was all in preparation for the joy of Easter Sunday.

This morning a co-worker gave me something her own pastor handed out recently. And, after reading it and thinking, "this is really, really good," I'm passing it along to you. The only thing I will add is that you don't have to be of any particular religious persuasion to benefit from it.

ASH WEDNESDAY CALL TO SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

"Fast from worry, and feast on divine order by trusting in God.
Fast from complaining, and feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives, and feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures, and feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility, and feast on tenderness.
Fast from bitterness, and feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern, and feast on compassion for others.
Fast from the shadows of sorrow, and feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip, and feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from judging others, and feast on the Christ within them.
Fast from emphasis on differences, and feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness, and feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of idleness, and feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute, and feast on the phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent, and feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger, and feast on optimism.
Fast from personal anxiety, and feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement, and feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress, and feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy, and feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion, and feast on the truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken, and feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from problems that overwhelm, and feast on prayer that undergirds."

(Source unknown but generally attributed to William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)