Prepare For A Reminder Of The 'true Big Picture'

Every year about this time, we Catholics hear 12 words that ought to take our breath away. In the time it takes to say those words … while making the sign of the cross on our foreheads with the ashes of palm leaves … our priests remind us of the TRUE big picture:

“Remember man that thou art dust … and to dust thou shall return.”

On the day I wrote this column, the first reading in the Mass included this, from the Letter of St. James: “Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you.” 

For me, the Ash Wednesday pronouncement above is, indeed, a breathtaking, not-so-subtle reminder of the humility St. James calls for. It also drives home – year after year – a point I hope you’ll ponder for a few minutes after finishing this; that is, that none of your accomplishments are yours. 

“Wait, what … not mine?!” you ask incredulously. That’s right; they are not yours. They are God’s. All of us need reminded of that, although this writer is grateful that most such reminders are not as intense as that heard on Ash Wednesday.

We are dust. Inevitably, we will return to dust. In between, we face challenges; temptations; pain and suffering; and opportunities to get out of the way and let God work through us as He would. Those opportunities represent what many call “witness.” 

“My work is my witness to God,” you hear; or, “I like to volunteer as my witness to the Lord.”

No.

Over the past 45 years, many amazing things have occurred in my life. Not one has been of my own doing. Working, volunteering, playing in any variety of ways … all have produced wonderful moments I remember vividly, as if they’d just occurred. But none happened directly through my actions or decisions. 

From here, any grace we receive from God – whether manifested as “an achievement” or as something we consider an honor or reward – comes as a result of our ability to get out of the Lord’s way. 

“Remember man that thou art dust … and to dust thou shall return.”

What can dust accomplish on its own? I can only think of one thing.

Dust, on its own, creates the need for cleaning. 

We are dust; and without God, we are on our own in this world. 

Connect the dots.

Then, go to Confession.

Don’t listen to me; listen to Pope Francis.

“If a lot of time has passed,” he said Feb. 19, “don’t lose even one more day.

“Go … the priest will be good. Jesus will be there, and He’s even nicer than the priest. Be courageous. Go to confession. Even just on a human level in order to vent, it’s good to speak to a brother – confessing to the priest these things that weigh so heavily on your heart. Don’t be afraid of confession.”

Pope Francis acknowledged that some aren’t comfortable with the concept of confessing to another human. “Some say, ‘I confess only to God.’ Yes, you can say, ‘God forgive me,’” he said, “but our sins are also against our brothers and sisters, against the Church. This is why it is necessary to ask for forgiveness from our brothers and sisters and from the Church in the person of a priest.”

 “Sometimes when you’re in line for confession, you feel all sorts of things, especially shame,” the Holy Father added. “But when your confession is over, you’ll leave free, great, beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy – this is what’s beautiful about confession.”

Our Holy Father offered these words exactly one month before churches across our 12 counties Leave the Light on for You. Let’s fill March 19 with beauty and happiness, forgiveness and cleansing.

“Remember man that thou art dust … and to dust thou shall return.”

Also remember what Pope Francis said. Be courageous. Go to Confession. Jesus will be there….”