Ash Wednesday: I'm not supposed to be like this.
- Jessamyn Anderson
- Feb 10, 2016
- 3 min read
Before you read the rest of this blog post, please take seven minutes and thirty-eight seconds to watch the video I’ve shared with this blog. Seriously. Please watch it.
Now that you’ve watched Fr. Mike Schmitz (who is an incredible speaker by the way. If you ever get the chance to see him--do it. It will change your life.) talk about Ash Wednesday, I want to highlight a few of the points he made. Highlighting from this video was tough because I absolutely loved everything he said. Goodness.
1. Ash Wednesday is when we say:
Something is wrong in the world. It’s not supposed to be like this.
There is something wrong with my heart. I’m not supposed to be like this.
I was really glad to hear him say these words because this perfectly describes how I’ve been feeling lately. “I’m not supposed to be like this.” Our human failings and imperfections can really wear on our hearts, and we are called to constantly seek renewal and forgiveness in our lives. Lent is such a beautiful time to open ourselves up to Jesus and ask him how he wants to renew our hearts. But we need to make sure we are seeking healing in right places: Confession, Mass, time with good friends, time using the gifts God gives us, and prayer (just to name a few). I will admit that I sometimes try to find healing in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s half-baked ice cream, but that isn’t healthy for my heart or my body. To truly renew our hearts and become what we ARE supposed to be, we must turn to Jesus on the cross.
2. The cross was the price tag Jesus was willing to pay to get your heart back. God believes you are worth dying for.
You know, I’ve heard this many times, this idea that I’m worth dying for. But sometimes more than others, it grabs ahold of my heart. This morning (after Mass and while I watched this video) was one of those times. Me? I’m worth dying for? Wow. Jesus was nailed to a cross so that I could live. When I sin, I’m the one that puts those nails there, and he still loves me infinitely because he knows what I can do. The person I can become. How dare I turn away from a chance to grow in holiness with Christ? This Lent, I want to work on growing in that holiness and growing in understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice for me on the cross.
3. The ashes mean I’m a sinner. The cross means I have a savior.
I would truly love to see the look on a stranger’s face if I said this to them after they asked about the “dirt on my forehead.” I’ve never heard anyone respond like this, but I feel like that response could really plant a seed in a lot of hearts. Some of my non-Catholic friends have told me they’re grateful that I’m “not like other Catholics.” But I’m always confused by that. The truly devout Catholics I know are very similar to me: they go to Mass, they’re open to talking about their faith, they’re kind to others, they judge actions instead of people, and they fall prey to sin just like the rest of the world. They SIN. We all do. It’s a part of our daily life. But it’s our response to it that defines the “kind of Catholic” we are. The ashes mean I’m a sinner. But do you truly believe that your Savior will help you become who you’ve been designed to be?
Lent comes around every year. But, like I did with Advent this year, I refuse to get to Easter and say, “Man, I wish I had really put my heart into Lent this year. Oh well, I’ll try harder next time.” Today marks the beginning of 40 days of opportunity--an opportunity to hand your heart to God and say, “There is something wrong with this. But it’s yours now. Help me make it what it’s supposed to be.”
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One of my new year’s resolutions is to focus more on others, so please let me know how I can pray for you this Lent. Fill out a contact form with your prayer intentions. I would really like the opportunity to pray for those reading my blog. Have a beautiful Lent :)
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