Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the 40 days of Lent, six weeks (excluding Sundays) dedicated to prayer, fasting, and reflection in preparation for the great celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum. The late Henri Nouwen described Lent as a time to re-focus and to re-enter a place of truth. It is here where we find our true identity.

Ash Wednesday invites us to look at our own vulnerability in a way that can bring healing, strength and courage. Aware that we do not set out to come up short, make mistakes or feel “less than” but we often do a reality that is one mysterious thread with the intricate tapestry of human life. Being vulnerable means being exposed, and open, having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. This day also invites us to reach out to those on the periphery of life, care, love, involve them and give them meaning in life.

What comes to my mind this year as we approach Ash Wednesday is not the soft and silky ashes made of the burnt palm branches of last year; rather the ‘Ashes’ made by the destructive forces of nature, the wars, the high cost of living that has left the poor poorer and the rich richer, corruption, high incidents of road accidents due reckless driving, poor roads, name it, and other forces by which we humans exclude others. We see the houses, roads and harbors that are smashed, or we hear the cries of those who were forced to leave their land, jobs, loved ones and even their own lives. Children are unable to study due to lack of fees, death tolls are high due to high medical fees. The question these ‘ashes’ put before us is: “How do you face this reality; how will you answer us?”