Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of spiritual preparation before Easter. This sacred day serves as a holy interruption, reminding us that we are dust - fragile, finite, and beloved by God. The ashes we receive aren't threats but truths about who we are, calling us to stop pretending we're self-sufficient and return to God with honest, vulnerable hearts. Lent isn't about spiritual performance or proving our holiness, but about spiritual realignment - quietly strengthening the unseen parts of our faith. It's an opportunity to clean out our spiritual closet, examining what we've avoided and making space for God by letting go of what grips us.

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