GOOD THINKING: THE ASHES OF LENT

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent.

Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "lencten" meaning "spring." Lent also comes from a German word "lenz" which refers to that time of the year when the days begin to "Ienighten."

Lent, for the Christian community, is that 40-day season (not counting Sundays) before Easter. First-century Christians fasted only on the day before Easter, preparing themselves for that sacred day.

Later, the season of fasting and repentance was extended to six days, Holy Week. Much later, candidates for church membership were required to fast for 40 days before being admitted into the Church; this practice eventually became a part of the preparation up to Easter.

Ash Wednesday marks a beginning for all of us! God is giving all of Us one more chance to live according to God's rules, to follow God's instructions, and to live like God wants us to live.

Ash Wednesday marks a beginning for all of us! We have the opportunity to repent, to turn our backs on worldly ways. Life is too short to be selfish, greedy, envious and jealous of others; life is too short to allow hatred and anger room in our heart, to harbor a grudge against another, to lie and cheat and tear others down. Lent is a time to give up bad habits.

Ash Wednesday marks a beginning for all of us. We have the opportunity to choose a better way of living: love for God and love for all the people God has created; doing good for others every way we can; forgiving people 49 times when our feelings are hurt; saying a good word about people; saying a word of encouragement to people; working for the good of all people of looking out for ourselves. Lent is a time to pick up some good habits!

Ash Wednesday marks a new beginning for all of us. The door of the church is open. The altar stands ready to receive us. The ashes of repentance have been prepared. The heavenly invitation comes to all of us: "Came to me, all who are burdened down with sorrow and sin; kneel at the altar and confess your sin; feel the hand of forgiveness; arise and go, knowing that all your sins have been forgiven; arise and live a new life for God's sake."

Lent will be what we make it. Lent will open the way to Heaven and life eternal. We stand at the crossroads, Ash Wednesday. We will either choose the way to Heaven or the way to Hell. Ash Wednesday -- let's choose wisely!