Ash Wednesday

Well if I could only remember one lesson from last Wednesday, it would be that I can't trust my emotions. Emotions are ever changing and untrustworthy and I must place all my trust in God's ways.

Last Wednesday I had an experience that I'm not proud of. I jumped to conclusions quickly and was defensive and misread the intentions of a friend today... I've been deeply hurt and betrayed by friends in the past, and so I have a bit of a complex where I sometimes assume the worst...

The day was really quite a roller coaster. I went to Ash Wednesday service at the Basilica and was reminded how blessed I am to have such an incredible community at my parish. It feels so much like home when I recognize friendly faces in the pews, several parish friends at the community soup supper after Mass, and even distant acquaintances on my way out of the church. From the first moment I'm walking through those grand front doors, to last moment I'm heading to my car to go home, I'm surrounded by excited, supportive, committed and sincere friends from my parish of all ages and all walks of life. It's truly inspiring!

Then rehearsal for Kingdom Undone was thrilling! It's uncommon for Catholics to dance and jump around on Ash Wednesday, especially as the only one in the room with ashes remaining on their forehead, but I am feeling surprisingly happy and hopeful on this day that reminds us that we cannot escape death and that one day we will return to ashes and dust.

I was left, at the end of the day, with the thought that we are to rejoice and be glad in the present, and to trust in God's promise for us. TODAY is the day that the Lord has made! Let us live it to the fullest!

I am so excited for this Lent and to be growing closer to Jesus and learning more about His teachings and follow His way instead of my own, often negative and inconsistent ways. I am eagerly growing in praise through rehearsals for Kingdom Undone, a Passion play, and growing in prayer through reading the Gospels. This will be an intense Lent for me and I pray that Jesus continue leading me in my faith journey for His greater glory.