REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DUST
- Feb 18
- 1 min read
WATCH NOW: ABC Interview with Bishop Tony Percy (see foot of page)
Ashes are placed upon our foreheads. The priest has the option of saying:
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Repent, and believe in the Gospel.
Quite evocative, I’d say.
St. John Paul II:
Lent is the time for entering into ourselves. It is a time of special intimacy with God in the depths of our hearts and consciences.
And it is within this interior intimacy with God that the main work of the Lenten season is accomplished: the work of conversion (Ash Wednesday 1983).
For his part, Pope Leo XIV highlights Lent as:
A time for listening to God, since God loves to involve us.
A time for fasting, since we become indulgent.
A time to be the Body of Christ, since we need good company.
Fasting from food and from offensive words is important:
Refrain from words that offend and hurt our neighbour.
Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves (Pope Leo XIV, Lenten Message 2026).
The grace of 40 days:
Lord, we pray, help us.
AMEN.
