"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Those are the words taken right from scripture (Genesis 3:19) that are said as the ashes are being placed on foreheads on Ash Wednesday. (Which happens to be tomorrow.)

This placement of ashes on the forehead is an outward sign that without God, we are nothing. It also reminds us that this world is not our eternal home and that we were made for more. Our bodies will eventually 'return to dust' and we will (God willing.) be in heaven with our Father. Ash Wednesday is also one of my favorite days of the year because it's one of the only day you can walk around and know exactly who the Catholics are.

Lent is the beginning of a beautiful journey towards the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A time for growing deeper in our relationship with Christ. It is symbolic of the 40 days of fasting and praying that Jesus did in the desert. For us, Lent is a time to really step back and reflect on the life of Jesus and that cross that he endured for the sake of our salvation.

A common question that Catholics typically ask each other during this time of year is "What are you giving up for Lent?" While giving up things is all good, it is only good if it is for the right reasons. The real question we should be asking is: "What are you doing this Lent to grow closer in your relationship with God?"

These little 'sacrifices' we make can come in several forms. They can be things like giving up facebook, to giving up sleeping in your bed, to making more time for prayer or reading of Scripture, to giving up complaining, to fasting from certain foods... The list goes on. There are no 'guidelines' to how you should seek to draw closer to Christ.

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and repentance in preparation for the Salvation of the world. As the Ashes on Ash Wednesday remind us, it's not about us, or how many sacrifices we make. It's not about what we do, it's how we do it. It is about our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we choose to better our relationship with him through our actions.

So I encourage you, Brothers and Sisters, to dive deeper into this Lent then you ever have before. Don't ask yourselves: "What should I give up for Lent this year?" Instead ask yourselves the question of: "What can I do to further enter into my relationship with Jesus Christ this Lent?"

God Bless you all!
-Catherine