snow and ash

Today is a day of contrast -
blizzard and tornado
sin and purity
selfishness and love
wage and gift
snow and ash

Today, Ash Wednesday, is no different from other days, only we focus on the contrast this day.

Check out these lyrics from Ashes by Jonathan Rundman:

i got ashes on my forehead
and i'm trying hard to learn
this dust that i have started from
is where i shall return
and i will follow out of love
'cause there is nothing i can earn
i got ashes on my forehead
and i'm trying hard to learn

How can I wash off this dirty, black cross? I know that I am marked by the cross of Jesus Christ every day, but on this day I can see it. Others can see it. It changes the way I live, the way I interact, the way I see myself. I see the dust to which I will return. I can see the dirty, black cross that somehow makes me clean.