Dirty Faces and Fish Sandwiches

On Ash Wednesday I grabbed a quick dinner on the way home from work. I walked into a fast-food restaurant, placed my order, and noticed the woman at the cash register gave me a puzzled look. She then asked:

“Ma’am, why is it that everyone who had dirt on their faces today ordered a fish sandwich?”

I happily explained the purpose of the ashes and the importance of the day in relation to the Easter holiday. While waiting for my meal, we chatted a while longer and discussed how Mardi Gras, something all good Southerners celebrate, played a part in the whole season of Lent. Once my order was ready, we cordially parted ways.

This is why I love Ash Wednesday. Ashes are both a great conversation starter and evangelization tool.

In fact, every Friday fish sandwich in Lent can be an opportunity for sharing our faith!

It makes me think:  What if we boldly wore our faith everyday? How different would our daily conversations be? In today’s secular world many Christians compartmentalize their faith and only share it in a safe environment. This Lenten season, I encourage all Catholic Christians to boldly wear their faith everyday.

Start those conversations and share the love of Christ to all we meet.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a garland instead of ashes….