On Ash Wednesday last week, I had the privilege of assisting at the Aquinas School Mass at 11:00am.

It was a beautiful Liturgy. It found it to be moving, and Father Ted’s homily was very well done (as usual.)

When I was distributing the ashes to the students, one little girl (I assume she was kindergarten-age, as she looked very young and was very short) came up for ashes. However, she was so small in height that I had to kneel down to give her the ashes. I thought that this would also keep her comfortable in her reception of the ashes.

She seemed a bit apprehensive, and her eyes were as big as saucers as I placed the ashes on her forehead. After receiving the ashes, she smiled. It was a smile that warmed my heart and made my day.

It reminded me of the hymn called Hosea, which we sang at many Masses on Ash Wednesday. In that hymn are the words, “Come back to me with all your heart, don’t let fear keep us apart…long have I waited for your coming home to me living deeply our new life.”

Without realizing it, I believe the girl’s smile reflected her unconscious thought that something special had just happened.

Those of us who are older can learn from this little girl.

In Lent, let’s remember that God is “calling us home to live deeply our new life with Him.” Then, let us smile knowing how much we are loved. 



By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek