“Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

What if we carried the mark of the cross on our forehead at all times as we do on Ash Wednesday after the imposition of ashes? How many times have we begun the day with prayer and good intentions or walked out of the sanctuary on Sunday morning and quickly forgotten our pledge or acted not as Christians? When my family and I go to dinner after the 5:30 Ash Wednesday service, we carry the mark of the cross. We sometimes see others with the cross on their foreheads – I believe I act better and am strengthened by seeing others. Perhaps they are strengthened by seeing me.

DEAR LORD, PLEASE ETCH THE MARK OF THE CROSS ON MY HEART SO THAT IT WILL BE VISIBLE TO ME AND OTHERS IN MY DAILY ACTIONS. I ASK THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, MY LORD AND SAVIOR. AMEN.

-Shared by Clinton Fox