There is a saying that each person has two lives. The second life, one discovers when he or she finds out that there is only one life. In a little while, ashes will be imposed on our foreheads. It is a reminder that we came from ash and to ash we shall return. In other words, we are all on borrowed time. Hence the second life is about living life to the fullest, spiritually.

The Gospel reminds us of three things we can do:

• First, prayer. We are body and soul and we need to connect to our creator very often. Jesus said, “pray unceasingly.” This is not to change the perfect will of God but for us to know the perfect will of God for our lives. Let us remember that God has a plan for each and every one of us. Then there are other benefits of prayer: from peace of mind to hope, from asking to thanking, from lamenting to just being silent. Let us find time for more prayer this Lenten season.
• Second, almsgiving. There is a saying, “Giving is the highest form of living.” When we give, we open ourselves to receiving more blessings because it always comes back. When we give we get connected to the people we are helping, after all our lives are interconnected. When we give, we become instruments of God’s generosity. The more difficult the giving, the more meaningful.
• Fasting. From ages 14 to 59, people are encouraged to Fast from meat. Yet, regardless of what age we are, there is something we can fast from that we think is very precious for us or is a habit that is hard to break. Let us ask ourselves this question, “Is there something you cannot do without?” Then you realize that you do not possess that thing, it is that thing that possesses you. Hence, an opportunity to fast from that thing so we can live a simpler but more free life.

Let us remember Ash Wednesday is also about love. The ashes symbolize death and what did Jesus say, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” Ashes also symbolize repentance. Lenten season is the best time to repent of our sins, bad habits, and mistakes as we continue to become better Christians with prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.