Between Mass and Ash?

Dr. Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com

To full capacity many Catholic churches would be filled today.With the frenzy on their faces, rushing and pushing to get what ? Holy Communion or Ash?

Does one really need Ash on the forehead to live in the consciousness of ones body being dust? You are dust and unto dust you shall return. This is the normal line priests say to people as they present themselves to be signed with ashes.

But is man really dust? Is man mere flesh? Or is he more than flesh? God’s image? Who would live in eternity in God’s presence or in the presence of Satan? The truth is, you are not dust, your flesh is, which at the point of death returns to dust not your spirit which is you.

It is very sad that majority of Catholics unconsciously prefer Ash over Mass and Communion. This morning, the church was unusually filled compared to other weekdays.

80% of the congregants today came late, never recieved Holy Communion but struggled, shoved and pushed to have their foreheads signed with ashes. If you ask me, mere display of misplaced priority. Preference of dryness over life .

Nobody needs Ash for any spiritual resurgence but Mass and Holy Communion, undoubtedly arevsources for spiritual regeneration.

It is high time to have an average Catholics subjected to proper catechises on this Ash Wednesday crazy and unusual rush to have Ash signed.

The truth which many will attack me because of their undue emotional attachment to this Ash signing which they carry as barge of salvation and brandish as ticket for entrance into heaven is that; the importance of Ash Wednesday Is in the Eucharistic Celebration not in the signing of Ash. Get this and have sense