“Oh, so you got the thing,” a co-worker said as she gestured toward her own forehead. “How long do you have to wear that? What does that signify anyway?”

I sensed the skepticism. Her disenchantment with any form of organized religion was no secret. However, she claimed to be a spiritual person and I knew just what to say for her to appreciate why I even bothered to get ashes today.

“On a personal level, it’s supposed to remind me that life is short and that I should make every moment count.” I said.

I also added, “On a social level, it’s a way to make a visible connection with other Catholics you see on the street.”

“I like that,” she responded.

Written in 2012