Preach it brother! I'm a recovering catholic in Los Angeles, I hated every minute of it.. at Catechism I was constantly told I would go to hell if I didn't go to church, was told I needed the blessing of a priest to be forgiven, I was told I needed to kiss a statue of the virgin mary so I may accept her blessing & our leading priest was expelled for molestation charges. All of this goes against the Bible, & although I had a horrible experience, I pray other Catholics do not.
@evanom2 how is death a curse if it leads you to a perfect place? immortality on earth is more of a curse when you think about it. I don't practice "ash Wednesday" but it's just a show of humility and submission, it's not all about focusing on death, but i guess i understand were your coming from.
@Actueel68 the gift is eternal life in HEAVEN, i said eternal life on EARTH (keyword being earth) was a curse, you can't get God's gift tell you die, so no, death is liberation.
That is a good belief, you have a lot of spirituality and I really do respect that. Now with all do respect, may I ask what you believe about heaven? From my understanding, upon death, you enter a soul sleep and await the 2nd coming of Christ. This question is open to anyone.
Interesting information, I never knew this when I was growing up Catholic.. obviously I left the church for my own reasons. In any event, bless you brother and thank you for the information.
@archmage5245 In the Bible, that "perfect place" was the Garden of Eden: Death did the exact opposite as it kicked us out of that perfect place, and thus it is something unclean, contaminating, ungodly. Did you know that in the bible if you come in contact with a corpse you can`t participate in anything Godly? (Lev.5) So imagine having a (symbolic) corpse smeared on your forehead!!! The best way to show humility and submission is to actually obey the bible and say no to traditions contrary to it
@evanom2 no, we were kicked out of the garden because of sin, not death. The bible clearly states that heaven is perfect, and the only reason we have a shot at heaven is because Jesus DIED for us, that's a quarantine law for the Jews, its talking about sanitation. the only way to get to heaven is through death, thees people put ashes on their heads to signify that they are below God and not immortal, that their bodies don't stay with them. your really making this bigger than it is.
@evanom2 How is death a "curse"? It's part of life, and it will happen to everyone. The ash cross represents that we (catholics or other religions that celebrate Ash Wednesday) belong to Christ and that we are sorry for our sins.
@U2LedZep Death-is-a-part-of-life is a buddist/new age philosophy. Truth is these ashes represent the remains of a corpse. In no way whatsoever can this EVER represent that someone belongs to Christ. Making contact with a dead body does the opposite, it KEEPS YOU AWAY from God. (lev.5:2). Those who are given life are marked with life (rv.22:4). Mt 22:32- I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
@evanom2 The early traditions of Ash Wednesday were practice by tossing palm tree leaf ashes over a person's head to signify the asking of forgiveness before God. Nowadays, the ashes are just spread on the forehead in the shape of a cross. No corpses are used during this practice, I can assure you... I would suggest you learn more about the Catholic religion before you try telling us how to practice our religion.
I like the concept of focusing on God and giving up something that is an idol in your life. But I dislike the concept of being reminded of death. We all know we're gonna die yes. But it shouldn't be a practice to remind ourselves of it. Our focus should be on God and on loving on other people in this world showing them God's love and being as close to a living example of what jesus would do in life. Let me ask, who else has one of those bracelets that have the letters WWJD on em?
Thank you so much Father and bless you for posting such and awesome positive message! I am looking forward to being with the Father and I pray he will find me worthy. God bles you richly now and always.
As the Priest make a sign of the Cross on our forehead with ashes,he will say "Remember that you are from dust and to dust you shall return",as we were created by God from dust .
the video clearly explained the reasons of the event. “the earth is not my home, I'm just passing by”. just a reminder
Sunjo07 9 hours ago
@evanom2
Preach it brother! I'm a recovering catholic in Los Angeles, I hated every minute of it.. at Catechism I was constantly told I would go to hell if I didn't go to church, was told I needed the blessing of a priest to be forgiven, I was told I needed to kiss a statue of the virgin mary so I may accept her blessing & our leading priest was expelled for molestation charges. All of this goes against the Bible, & although I had a horrible experience, I pray other Catholics do not.
Actueel68 2 days ago
@evanom2 how is death a curse if it leads you to a perfect place? immortality on earth is more of a curse when you think about it. I don't practice "ash Wednesday" but it's just a show of humility and submission, it's not all about focusing on death, but i guess i understand were your coming from.
archmage5245 2 days ago
@archmage5245
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" Apparently death is a curse..
Actueel68 2 days ago
@Actueel68 the gift is eternal life in HEAVEN, i said eternal life on EARTH (keyword being earth) was a curse, you can't get God's gift tell you die, so no, death is liberation.
archmage5245 1 day ago
@archmage5245
That is a good belief, you have a lot of spirituality and I really do respect that. Now with all do respect, may I ask what you believe about heaven? From my understanding, upon death, you enter a soul sleep and await the 2nd coming of Christ. This question is open to anyone.
Actueel68 1 day ago
@Actueel68 i don't believe in purgatory, but, like i said, if you die with Christ, you go to heaven and live with Christ.
archmage5245 18 hours ago
@archmage5245
Interesting information, I never knew this when I was growing up Catholic.. obviously I left the church for my own reasons. In any event, bless you brother and thank you for the information.
Actueel68 18 hours ago
@archmage5245 In the Bible, that "perfect place" was the Garden of Eden: Death did the exact opposite as it kicked us out of that perfect place, and thus it is something unclean, contaminating, ungodly. Did you know that in the bible if you come in contact with a corpse you can`t participate in anything Godly? (Lev.5) So imagine having a (symbolic) corpse smeared on your forehead!!! The best way to show humility and submission is to actually obey the bible and say no to traditions contrary to it
evanom2 1 day ago
@evanom2 no, we were kicked out of the garden because of sin, not death. The bible clearly states that heaven is perfect, and the only reason we have a shot at heaven is because Jesus DIED for us, that's a quarantine law for the Jews, its talking about sanitation. the only way to get to heaven is through death, thees people put ashes on their heads to signify that they are below God and not immortal, that their bodies don't stay with them. your really making this bigger than it is.
archmage5245 18 hours ago
@evanom2 How is death a "curse"? It's part of life, and it will happen to everyone. The ash cross represents that we (catholics or other religions that celebrate Ash Wednesday) belong to Christ and that we are sorry for our sins.
U2LedZep 2 days ago
@U2LedZep Death-is-a-part-of-life is a buddist/new age philosophy. Truth is these ashes represent the remains of a corpse. In no way whatsoever can this EVER represent that someone belongs to Christ. Making contact with a dead body does the opposite, it KEEPS YOU AWAY from God. (lev.5:2). Those who are given life are marked with life (rv.22:4). Mt 22:32- I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
evanom2 1 day ago
@evanom2 The early traditions of Ash Wednesday were practice by tossing palm tree leaf ashes over a person's head to signify the asking of forgiveness before God. Nowadays, the ashes are just spread on the forehead in the shape of a cross. No corpses are used during this practice, I can assure you... I would suggest you learn more about the Catholic religion before you try telling us how to practice our religion.
U2LedZep 1 day ago
a girl from iceland told me about this today... xD proves what being an athiest teaches u xD
tylerwalker2 2 days ago
I like the concept of focusing on God and giving up something that is an idol in your life. But I dislike the concept of being reminded of death. We all know we're gonna die yes. But it shouldn't be a practice to remind ourselves of it. Our focus should be on God and on loving on other people in this world showing them God's love and being as close to a living example of what jesus would do in life. Let me ask, who else has one of those bracelets that have the letters WWJD on em?
Meluxie 2 days ago
No lay person should be administering ashes!
thestroll1 3 days ago
Without the dark shadow of Death, there can be no hope of Life. Lent is a season of Hope.
CSSailor1863 3 days ago
อาเมน...^^
thezzcolotuzz 1 week ago
Happy is the one who remembers we are made from dust, that we are mere mortals and Yahweh is the only Immortal One.
Receiving the ashes on Ash Wednesday prompted me to write a blogpost about Ash Wednesday.
TheresaIpFroehlich 11 months ago
@TheresaIpFroehlich - Apparently, we're not supposed to say "Yahweh" any more - out of sensitivity to our Judeo-origins.
JBofBrisbane 10 months ago
My ashes came as a perfect cross:D
SydneyMarinie 11 months ago
(: ashes are on my forehead right now <3
EmilliBabby 11 months ago
Thank you so much Father and bless you for posting such and awesome positive message! I am looking forward to being with the Father and I pray he will find me worthy. God bles you richly now and always.
tallabas 11 months ago
As the Priest make a sign of the Cross on our forehead with ashes,he will say "Remember that you are from dust and to dust you shall return",as we were created by God from dust .
agneskipo 11 months ago
great message , simple and the truth
what0071000 11 months ago
The good thing about Lent is that it makes you focus on the real "business end" of Christianity (i.e. all that Christ went through for all of us).
wardenphil 11 months ago
So ready for Lent again. What a wonderful time in the Faith.
DaughterofStFrancis 1 year ago
funny
KarStoLutMal 1 year ago
i got my ashes yesterday.
kellyhrtsacting89 2 years ago
Another Ash Wednesday!
tomata182 2 years ago
Very Nice Fr. I have shown it to my Children a really great way to explain it. :)
Ginnamom 3 years ago
amen i totaley a gree
tinasattler1 3 years ago