Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Ashes to Ashes

There's really nothing spectacular about this post.

Actually, I was thinking what would I be sharing in here. I mean, it has been quite sometime since I posted. Well, it's been so cliche. I always say that in almost every post I've made for the past weeks.

Anyway, so what am I going to say now? Today is Ash Wednesday. For Catholics like me, it's a hint that the Lenten Season is coming soon. Since Sunday, I was thinking whether to go to mass and have myself ashed or just do otherwise. I was having a second thought not because of anything big (reason), but just because, I do not know really.

Then come this morning. I woke up early, and was caught up thinking whether I'd go to mass since I heard the bell rang, or should I just go on with my daily routines. As expected, I chose the latter.

Now, I saw a lot of people with ashes on their forehead. You know, goes to show that they are Catholics and that they give importance to the day. Okay, I am a faithful person. I may not be a religious person, but I believe I am a faithful one. I am loyal to my religion, I observe the Holy days of my religion. That's it.

So what about now? I was walking back to my office (with my colleagues actually) when I saw this group of students with what else? Ashes on their foreheads. There comes the thought, "Are they really meaning that Cross in there? Or they just did so, so as to tell the world that they belong to the Catholic community?"

I am not the type who go against anything about religions. For me, your religion is your choice, as much as being faithful is your choice as well.

Well, what I am really trying to say is, or should I say, my thought bubble is asking, "Do people really know the true essence of that Cross (ashed) on their foreheads?" "Do they really know why we have to be ashed?" "After having that, what about?"

Oh well, whatever the case may be, whatever the real reasons are, I have nothing really against about it. Just trying to share my intuitiveness regarding what we are observing this day. :)

I told you, there's really nothing about this post. Thanks for taking time (to read )anyway. :)


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11 comments:

The Pope said...

May this Lent be a season of transformation and renewal, a time to heal the wounds caused by sin and division, and a period of reflection and growth in becoming who God has called us each to be.

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you and your family.

kikilabotz said...

two thumbs up.para naman sa akin wala sa religion yan as long na gumagawa ka ng mabuti at umiiwas ka gumawa ng masama. enjoy blogging

gillboard said...

congratulations on your new home. may dot com ka na.

start na pala ngayon ng lenten season.

lucas said...

i share the same sentiment...i believe it's not about the practices--the cross on your forehead or the sign of the cross before you eat...i think it's the substance of why you do such practices...

thanks for dropping by, pamela :)

Anonymous said...

you really have a good point on this one..and don't worry..it's not blasphemy at all..totoo naman eh..we Filipinos just follow the traditions without knowing the real essence and what exactly we are getting ourselves into..like for examples sa mga fiesta na meant as a religious event..kita mo puro performance ng bading (i don't have anything against them) or, sagala na pagandahan lang, inuman and other senseless stuff..hays..it's so pinoy

Anonymous said...

these are sensible stuffs. indeed religion is a choice..

theLastJedi said...

i am sure you're not alone in thinking of such.. hypocrisy is what i call it.. it's not a matter of faith and belief anymore, more of braggadocio and passive obligation..

- ash wednesday is the start of the lenten season.. cuaresma or forty days to easter sunday.. hope we find more meaning in the practices that our Catholic faith have.

fiel-kun said...

hi Pam ^_^

The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many Catholics leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility.

Ely Biado said...

I am thinking about this, What if Jesus is sentenced to die by hanging on the neck, wonder what will the ashes on the forehead looks like.

Eccles 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Following the cross of Christ is denying yourself.

Mt 16:24 Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Jn 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Random Student said...

i used to be a devout catholic and kasama na d'yan ang pagtangkilik sa tradition ng ash wednesday. di man ako nagpapractice nun now, in my mind and heart the essence and purpose of the tradition is still real.

ahmer said...

black ashes on the forehead.

It's message is simple: "Mamamatay ka rin." Sobering.

...cherish each moment as a precious gift!