Nothing....

We brought nothing into this world, and we shall surely take nothing from it. -St. John Chrysostom (in a sermon, late 3rd or early 4th century); can be found at: http://www.universalis.com/20110913/readings.htm; also see 1 Timothy 6:7 (online at http://usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=1%20Timothy&ch=6)

as an observant roman catholic (who fails miserably and regularly) i don't think i've ever missed an ash wednesday.  even when i was living my mini version of the prodigal son 'adventure,' i would find myself at church on ash wednesday, receiving ashes (the 1st day of 'lent' when catholics receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads, from the ashes of burned palm branches (from the previous years palm sunday).

i remember once, i missed the church service (mass) in the morning, and knew my schedule wouldn't allow me to come back.  so, i went into the sanctuary, found the small bowls of ashes, and put the cross on my forehead, myself.

i also remember once, on an ash wednesday when i was working for the church, being very hungry at lunch time.  i went through a fast food drive thru.  ordered a full meal with a hamburger.  completely oblivious to the fact that it was ash wednesday -how quickly we forget ;-) the woman at the window said 'oh, todays ash wednesday? i thought you weren't suppose to eat meat on ash wednesday.'  oh, my God!!!  talk about humbling.  i laughed at myself all day.

when you receive ashes, the priest or minister says: "Remember, man -you are dust and to dust you shall return" (taken from Genesis 3:19 http://usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Genesis&ch=3) -a wise reminder.  the last few days i've been meditating on todays quote.  interestingly, many things that 'normally' seem so important to me = are not a big deal anymore.  in a kind of wierd paradox, i'm freer.