John,
Today, Catholics and other Christians across the world will gather to receive ashes as a reminder that "for you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).
Despite not being a holy day of obligation, Ash Wednesday is traditionally one of the liturgical year's most attended Masses with attendance increasing even more in recent years. This solemn but sobering Mass reminding us of our sins, frailty, and dependence upon God is more popular than ever. Why?
It would seem that our culture’s quick dismissal of God and celebration of self would make Ash Wednesday an absurdly dated practice that has no place in our tolerant, self-affirming culture where you can be you, and I can be me.
To read the rest of my Townhall op-ed, visit:
townhall.com/columnists/shawncarney/2023/02/21/ash-wednesday-op-ed-n2619766
Just last week, Americans were exposed to an overtly demonic performance of “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras, who is transgender. As desperate as the performance was, the real cry for help actually came beforehand when Petras spoke to the Associated Press.
“I just never got a chance to know about spirituality or be accepted by God. So, to me, it’s like mythology. To me, it’s like a fairy tale or any other story.”
So without having ever given revealed religion a chance, Petras joined the church of progressive dogma. And like many other confused and impressionable young people, Petras has been seduced by its covenant, including the commandment that sacrifice in the form of body mutilation and self-harm will fill a void of emptiness.
