Ash Wednesday........

Today is the starting day of the season of lent. We call it Ash Wednesday. This will be the first Easter I will be having out of Sri Lanka for the first time in my life. The context is changed but not the intentions or willingness to go to mass. Since it has been now over 9 months I am getting used to live here. For me, Ash Wednesday is a starting period of time which will give me some time to think about the way I live and my relationship with GOD. Even though I do not take advantage of the season as much as I would have imagined still it is good for a change in my life. As Father ed. mentioned during the sermon today, Jesus asked us to fast without letting others know and also not to show off. But today, we come out from the church saying that we are Christians by having a cross marked on out forehead. Why do we do this? May be just to symbolize that we were made from dust and we indeed turn into dust and to live our life remembering that. Not to b the center of the universe (a quote Fr. Ed always say :) ).

And again I feel strange. Some people do not want to be close to GOD or whatever they believe. Some have loads of stuff to do. But luckily I did not have much of a work today. But I am sure that even if I had heap of work, still I will go to church today. That indeed is one of many good things I learned from my parents. One may think going to church does not work but I say it helps. One can be at home and do all the good things, be good and everything. But again we need to connect with the GOD. So we have this opportunity in the mass. If I am not doing well in life then there should be a place for me to keep reminding me the good values. At least that opportunity is there if I go to church. I alone can not be the GOD but I can be with him.

Ash Wednesday actually brings hope. The hope of eternal life and hope with GOD. It is because why the hell I want to live this life if I am definitely going to be turned into dust at the end. But with the dust there is something more. The hope of rising again. And with the hope, may this be a peaceful and meaningful season of lent......