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Ash Wednesday: A Symbol of Life's Transitions

 


This week begins the season of Lent. In a world that often values certainty and definitive answers, Ash Wednesday serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality and the transitions we all face in life. It reminds us of the power of dwelling in the questions, of standing on the threshold between what was and what might be. The ashes represent both death and renewal and speak to our fundamental liminality as humans – beings who exist between dust and divinity, constantly in the process of becoming. 

 

The 40 days ahead offer a deliberate sanctuary of reflection, spiritual discipline, and renewal. Accept the Lord’s invitation to connect with Him as He nurtures our faith and grows our relationship with Him deeper. In this threshold time, allow this to be an invitation to experience the gospel.

 

Every significant life change involves both an ending and a beginning. The loss of the old creates space for new growth, much as the Lenten season of sacrifice leads to the renewal of Easter. Whether leaving home, changing careers, or ending relationships, these transitions require acknowledging what must be released before embracing what lies ahead. It calls us to let go of what no longer serves us so that something new can take root. The fundamental questions of this season echo in this threshold space:  how do you willingly give yourself over to death and how do you receive life?

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