Ash Wednesday Tells Us the Truth about Who We Are

When Catholics attend Mass each Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent, the priest makes a cross of ashes on each person's forehead and says one of two phrases: "Repent and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." I've always found myself slightly disappointed when the priest chooses the former, just like I've always been disappointed when he makes barely a smudge out of the ashes rather than a heavy and bold black cross. When it comes to this season of penance, it feels fitting to start off strong, even if our efforts flag along the way.