" Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return." Genesis 3:19

[rug]

I hope we all have a meaningful Lenten season.

[Matilda]

1. At our church, the priest says "Repent, and believe in the Gospel".

It lacks the power of the age-old words.

The "dust to dust" imagery brings you smack up against reality, and we need that from time to time.

[FarLeftRage]

2. Yes, absolutely...

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...

[hedgehog]

3. I've been thinking a lot about those words. For me, more and more,

they are a reminder not to waste a single day. I think we are here to enjoy the love of God and to share that love with others.

You know, instead of giving up candy for Lent, I think I will take the time each day to eat 1 piece of really good chocolate and to appreciate it! Or to really look at my husband and appreciate him!

[Matilda]

4. I remember one year - a long time ago - when Lent began early in February,

and my flatmates and I had all given up sweets, chocolate, and all other such goodies.

Then I was given three boxes of chocolates on Valentine's Day. They sat unopened for over a month and all we could do was look at them.

When Lent ended, we really fully appreciated those chocolates!

[hedgehog]

5. My daughter is a freshman at college. The sororities are

making the pledges put marks on their faces. When someone saw the smudge on her forehead, he asked her what sorority she was pledging.

She explained about Ash Wednesday, but later on the better answer came to her:

"The Alpha and Omega!"

[Joe Chi Minh]

6. Anyone else find those words strangely comforting? As if there is an unspoken

rider, that we will find our real self in Christ in its stead.