The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
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If tomorrow wasn't Ash Wednesday, the first reading for Mass would most likely be from Wednesday of the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time, Tobit's prayer for death. I am always consoled by all of the Old Testament prophets' conduct in dejection, as well as their prayers for death in the face of failure or disappointment - even insult. It isn't just a Jewish thing to want to stick your head in the oven and pour out your lament to God. God knows "of what we are made, he remembers we are dust." - Ps. 102: 14. Sometimes I pray with the prophet:
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"Yes, your judgements are many and true
in dealing with me as my sins deserve.
For I have not kept your commandments,
nor have I trodden the paths of truth before you.
So now deal with me as you please,
and command my life breath to be taken from me,
that I may go from the face of the earth
into dust..." - Tobit 3
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"Unless the seed falls to the ground and dies..." That is an awesome saying.
