Black powder remnants of a Palm Sunday gone by call to mind the fickleness of the human heart and my need to mourn and give (again) to merciful God my failings and sins. Water reminds me of baptism and new life – of promises made and the chance to re-think who I am and the priorities of my life.  Bare branches point to the wood of the Cross and to Jesus who is the Vine and we the branches who must cling to him if we are to bear fruit. 

I am mindful that this 40-day pilgrimage is an opportunity to walk more closely with our Lord and Savior.  Forty days of minor self-denial show me how weak and distractable flesh and human will are on their own.  Yet I have 40 days in which to mindfully make better choices and possibly continue with better choices when the 40 days are gone.  I have 40 days in which to mindfully ask God for help in making better choices – to be more like Jesus, to see more like Jesus, to love more like Jesus.  I look forward to being blessed with ashes and entering into another pilgrimage to see what changes 40 days will bring.  May your pilgrimage bear fruit!

Peace be with you!

Leigh