Welcome Roman Catholic Plus Bible Readers

I call myself Grandmaster Luis Voltaire Guzman Castillo and I will unravel and explain customs and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church derived from Hebrews. Our homily for today is about repentance especially during the Lenten Season where we put ashes on our foreheads. Matthew11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." In those days, Hebrews would wear sackcloths and pour ashes on themselves as an act of repentance. The Roman Catholic has adapted this tradition uring Ash Wednesdays. We put ashes on our foreheads as a sign we have turned away from sins. Genesis 3:19 says You are dust and to dust you will return. Basically dust and ashes are similar. The human body is composed of Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen. Scientists say the origin of life is instantaneous. We call humans as carbon-based life forms because Carbon is the solid part in its composition. Matthew 24:13 But he (they) that endure unto the end shall be saved. Its simple. We have to endure the temptations of sins. We shall avoid the 7 deadly sins that escalates to heinous crimes - lust, sloth, anger, pride, gluttony, envy and greed. Sackcloth is a symbol of endurance where we put our farm produce and other products. We cut the sack on the neck part and on the sides so we can wear it as t-shirts. Then we sprinkle ashes on ourselves as a sign of our repentance and walk on the streets to the church. In a sense, this is what devotees of the Black Nazarene do. They made vows to walk bare-footed to the church. While our vow is a good sign, the holy spirit is much more important. That we obey the teachings of Jesus Christs in our hearts, minds, words and actions.