is the first day of Lent—and a wonderful opportunity to make yourself 100% available to God! That’s what “A Quick Guide to Ash Wednesday” at Dynamic Catholic.com says. It goes on..”How available to God are you? 50%? 75%? 96.4%? No matter what your answer, Ash Wednesday is the perfect time to decide that you will spend this Lent increasing that number.”
I can’t even process what any of this stuff means, but then I’m not a Catholic nor am I particularly religious in that sense. I’m not against anyone practicing what they believe as long as it doesn’t affect anyone else negatively. I am well aware that I used to sing in band that sang Christian gospel songs, and It was always a little uncomfortable dealing with some people who were definitely more into it than we were.
Ash Wednesday the musician
The same people who sing that kind of music in this country aren’t on the fence, which is why it wasn’t as authentic as it is at the source. Nevertheless it was an interesting, positive and enjoyable experience most of the time, even if we did come up against what you might call zealots occasionally. I’m not a huge believer in organized religion, mostly due to close relatives endless proselytizing. In the movie “Wise Blood”, based on the Flannery O’ Connor novel of the same name, the main character is tortured and traumatized as a child by his grandfather’s fire and brimstone preaching and the threat of eternal damnation.
I know how the character feels because that’s what I had to listen to from an early age. That’s kind of how I felt being in the Slaughtermen in retrospect. Motes wanted to believe in something, but his belief system had been damaged. In his case he was conflicted to the point of madness.
Flannery O’ Connor
Enough of my problems. They aren’t problems any more in any case. I’m quite happy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about politics and religion, I try and keep it to myself now.
In somewhat related news, the actor Shia LaBeouf is apparently “Terrorizing the City of New Orleans” this week as the Mardi Gras celebrations are ongoing.
“He was arrested early Mardi Gras Day after two men reported they were assaulted by the actor, according to the New Orleans Police Department. According to the internet, ” Shia LaBeouf officially converted to Catholicism, being confirmed into the Church on New Year’s Eve December 31, 2023 at Old Mission Santa Inés Parish in Solvang, California. His conversion was deeply influenced by his role as Padre Pio in the 2022 film Padre Pio, during which he trained at the same Capuchin Franciscan friary.
It’s almost the same picture.
“He has expressed that the experience was transformative, stating he found spiritual clarity and a renewed sense of purpose through the role and immersion in Catholic practices, including the traditional Latin Mass.” What went wrong?
It’s probably time for him to head to the confessional box now. He’ll be fine, I’m sure.
Good Day.
Ash Wednesday was a member of Melbourne punk band Jab (he’s the one with the goofy glasses)
The drummer, Janis Friedenfelds aka Johnny Crash, played on the original recording of Jesus Saves White Trash