Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of abstinence, a day of prayer, a day of fasting; it is a day to turn back to the Lord. It is a time to realize our dependence on God.
At Mass, I will go forward to receive ashes on my forehead in the shape of a cross. The ashes are palms which were burned and mixed with holy and blessed oil. The Palms are from Palm Sunday, which is the solemn day in remembrance of the Lords entrance into Jerusalem. He entered with cheers of excitement and elation and days later left carrying the sacred cross, condemned and beaten.
Lord, I pray today in a special way, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, for the protection of all people in harms way and a return to peace, justice, and charity
Lord, I pray for the conversion of my heart, an increase in prayer, a giving spirit, and the grace to fast. Lord, I follow You deeper into the desert, into the silence, and into the parched land. Help me to let go of anything that leads me away from You. I pray this in Your mighty name, Jesus. Amen.
Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. JL 2:12-13
Fears and Tears 
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