Valentine's Day vs Ash Wednesday.

Yesterday was probably the first time for as long as I can remember that Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is a day for the commemoration of St. Valentine of Rome who was imprisoned and killed for performing weddings for soldiers who were not allowed to marry. As a prisoner, he healed the blind daughter of his judge and wrote her a letter, 'Your Valentine.'

Ash Wednesday on the other hand is a day of fasting which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a religious observance which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter. It is a period of fasting and prayer in preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The name 'Ash Wednesday' is because ashes from palms used on the previous year's Palm Sunday are put on the forehead's of the participants. Usually a cross is drawn on the forehead's of the participants signifying the gospel of Mark 1:15

'Remember that you are dust and to dust shall you return.'

Ash Wednesday and the entire Lenten Period marks the period of sober reflection and prayer to make ourselves ready for the Easter celebration. It's a period of abstinence from meat. The Catholic Church teaches that it is a time for abstinence from any act that we know God frowns at.

Valentine's Day is a day associated with love. I believe we should use this period to show love and care to the people around us. Just one sentence from our mouth can brighten someone's day. Compliments and greetings are tools to put smiles on people's faces. No matter how little you give, as far as it is done with pure intentions, it will go a long way in blessing someone's life.

Let's use this period to show charity to the people around us and try to lead better lives.