Ash Wednesday comes in and is one of the awaited liturgical celebration of all the Filipino Catholics. Stated in Genesis chapter 1 to 3, we are made from ashes and when the time comes, to ashes we will return.
In the September of 2019, the Australian Bushfire started ravaging the forests. There are over 18 billion hectares of land burned. Over 9000 infrastructures were destructed. Along with many human casualties, over 1 billion animals died. Some endangered species are brought to extinction. Due to it’s alarming rate, it called the attention of the world and over $140 million has been donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund.
When 2020 arrived, we faced another natural calamity and it is the Taal Eruption, which started on January 12, 2020. It caused destruction to thousand of people, agriculture and livestock. It also crippled flight schedule due to ash fall.
Even though ash is harmful to humans, causing many affliction to our respiratory, eye and skin. It’s entire purpose is not just to harm us. In fact we can benefit from it. The soil and ash of the volcano is very rich, once it cooled off. The plant population can grow back very easily. And some spa uses volcanic ash treatment to cure various skin problems like: rashes and damaged skin.
Considering that we are also ashes, intentionally or not, we sometimes cause harm to our brothers or sisters, even to the rest of the living things that God has made. On the contrary, we are blessed with the gift of the mind and heart to understand what is going around us and to choose to do what ir right and benefecial to everyone.
Before we all return to ashes, may we be reminded during this season, to always do what will be helpful to all living things and be worthy of the life that Christ has sacrificed for us.
