Canadian Smoke Chokes NorthEast USA

The Hazy Skies of Summer: Canadian Wildfires Choke the Northeast, Saharan Dust Blankets the South – Welcome to the New Normal?

As July 2026 unfolds, millions of Americans are waking up to orange-tinged skies, acrid air, and health alerts that have become all too familiar. In the Northeast and Midwest, dense smoke from raging Canadian wildfires has blanketed cities from New York to Chicago and Detroit. Meanwhile, in the South, plumes of dust from the Sahara Desert are creating hazy conditions across Florida, Texas, and the Gulf Coast. These aren't isolated anomalies—they're stark reminders of how climate change is reshaping our weather, air quality, and daily lives.

 Canadian Wildfires and Transborder Smoke

This summer, Canada is battling over 800 wildfires, with hundreds out of control, particularly in Ontario and other central provinces. Fires have destroyed remote Indigenous communities like Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (Collins) in northwestern Ontario, forcing evacuations and closing highways.

The smoke doesn't stop at the border. Prevailing winds have carried it thousands of miles south, affecting over 100 million people across the U.S. Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic. Detroit recorded some of the worst air quality in the world, with hazardous PM2.5 levels. New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis, and other major hubs saw orange haze, canceled outdoor events, and widespread "unhealthy" air quality alerts.

Residents describe it as a "river of smoke"—burning eyes, scratchy throats, and a constant smell of campfire in the air. Officials urged vulnerable groups (elderly, children, pregnant people, and those with heart/lung conditions) to stay indoors, while cities distributed free masks.

 Saharan Dust in the South

Simultaneously, a massive plume of Saharan dust has crossed the Atlantic, bringing milky skies and reduced air quality to the southern U.S. This dry, dusty air from Africa's Sahara Desert reached Florida and is pushing toward Texas and the Gulf Coast, creating hazy sunrises/sunsets and sometimes trapping heat.

While less immediately hazardous than wildfire smoke, the dust can irritate airways, reduce visibility, and interact with local pollution.

 The Climate Connection and the "New Normal"

Experts are clear: these events are intensified by climate change. Rising global temperatures dry out forests, extend fire seasons, and increase lightning strikes and extreme weather that spark blazes. Wildfire smoke now travels farther and lingers longer, directly linking distant fires to urban health crises.

"We can't accept this as the new normal," many say, yet it feels increasingly routine. Warmer oceans and altered atmospheric patterns also influence Saharan dust transport and hurricane suppression (dust can inhibit tropical development).

 Dangers to Health, Environment, and Infrastructure

Health Risks: Wildfire smoke is particularly toxic, containing fine particulates, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogens. Short-term exposure spikes respiratory issues, asthma attacks, heart problems, and ER visits. Long-term, it's linked to higher rates of cancer, strokes, pregnancy complications, and weakened immunity. Vulnerable populations suffer most, but even healthy people feel effects at "unhealthy" levels. Saharan dust adds to respiratory irritation, especially for those with allergies or asthma.

Environmental Impacts: Fires devastate boreal forests, releasing massive carbon stores and reducing biodiversity. Smoke deposits particles on ice/snow (accelerating melt) and harms wildlife and vegetation downwind. Dust can fertilize oceans or soils but also carries microbes or heavy metals. Both events disrupt ecosystems and contribute to broader climate feedback loops.

Infrastructure and Economy: Poor air quality grounds flights, cancels events, closes schools/parks, and strains healthcare systems. It reduces solar panel efficiency, damages crops, and affects tourism. In extreme cases, it overwhelms power grids (via increased AC use) and transportation. Billions in firefighting costs and recovery add up yearly.

These cross-border and transatlantic phenomena highlight the need for international cooperation on emissions, forest management, and resilience.

A Call to Care for Our Common Home: Insights from Laudato Si'

In the face of these recurring environmental crises—smoke-choked cities in the Northeast and hazy, dust-laden skies in the South—many turn not only to science and policy but also to ethical and spiritual frameworks for guidance. Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ (“Praise Be to You”) offers a profound reflection that feels increasingly urgent in 2026. Subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home,” the document weaves together ecology, faith, justice, and human dignity, framing environmental degradation as a moral and spiritual crisis.

Francis describes the Earth as “a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” Yet he warns that we are treating her with “violence” through pollution, climate disruption, and the loss of biodiversity. The encyclical links the Canadian wildfires and transatlantic Saharan dust events directly to broader patterns of climate change driven by human activity—particularly fossil fuel dependence, deforestation, and unsustainable consumption. These are not distant problems; the smoke that blankets New York or the dust that dims Florida’s sun affects the air we all breathe, disproportionately harming the poor, the elderly, and future generations.

A core theme of Laudato Si’ is integral ecology: the recognition that environmental health cannot be separated from social justice, economic systems, and cultural values. Wildfire smoke exacerbating respiratory illnesses in urban neighborhoods, or dust plumes worsening heat stress in the South, illustrate how ecological harm intersects with inequality. The encyclical critiques the “throwaway culture” that discards both people and the planet, urging instead a culture of encounter, solidarity, and stewardship.

Francis calls for intergenerational solidarity—recognizing that today’s inaction imposes suffering on tomorrow’s children—and appeals to world leaders and individuals alike for bold conversion: a change in hearts, lifestyles, and policies. This includes reducing emissions, protecting forests, promoting renewable energy, and fostering international cooperation (such as between the U.S. and Canada on wildfire management).

In the context of our “new normal” of hazardous air and extreme events, Laudato Si’ reminds us that technical solutions alone are insufficient. We need a deeper ecological conversion rooted in awe, gratitude, and responsibility. Whether through personal habits—like supporting reforestation or choosing lower-carbon lifestyles—or collective advocacy for stronger climate policies, the encyclical invites all people of goodwill to respond not with despair, but with hopeful action.

As smoke drifts across borders and dust crosses oceans, Laudato Si’ challenges us to see these events not as inevitable fate, but as a summons to heal our common home—for the sake of all who inhabit it today and those who will come after.

 Moving Forward

While adaptation (better air filtration, early warnings, prescribed burns) helps, mitigation—aggressive climate action to limit warming—is essential. We must invest in sustainable forestry, renewable energy, and global dust/wildfire research.

This summer's hazy skies aren't just weather—they're a call to action. The "new normal" doesn't have to be this hazardous if we act decisively.

References  

- Reuters: Canada wildfire smoke blankets US Midwest, Northeast (July 16, 2026)  

- Washington Post: Wildfire smoke will worsen in the Northeast (July 16, 2026)  

- Various reports on 2026 Canadian wildfires and Saharan dust plumes from FOX Weather, USA Today, and others.  

- Expert commentary on climate links from atmospheric scientists and public health officials.

California on Fire

California’s January 2025 Wildfires: A Devastating Start to the Year

In January 2025, Southern California faced an unprecedented wildfire crisis that left communities reeling, claiming lives, and causing billions in damages. From January 7 to January 31, a series of 14 destructive wildfires tore through the Los Angeles metropolitan area and San Diego County, burning over 57,000 acres, killing at least 29 people, and destroying more than 18,000 homes and structures. Fueled by extreme weather conditions and exacerbated by climate change, these fires—most notably the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades—rank among the deadliest and most destructive in California’s history. Here’s a detailed look at the crisis, its impacts, and the broader implications for the region.

The Outbreak: A Perfect Storm of Conditions

The wildfires erupted on January 7, 2025, under conditions that fire experts described as a "perfect storm." According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the fires were driven by a combination of drought conditions, low humidity, a buildup of vegetation from the previous winter, and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. The Los Angeles region had seen no significant rainfall between May 2024 and early January 2025, making it the second-driest May-to-January period on record since 1877. This prolonged dryness, coupled with heatwaves in the summer of 2024, left vegetation parched and highly flammable.

Climate scientists pointed to the role of climate change in intensifying these conditions. A report from World Weather Attribution noted that the weather in the region was up to 5°C warmer, 15% drier, and 20% windier compared to historical averages, largely due to human-induced climate change. The dry season in Southern California has extended by about 23 days since the mid-20th century, increasing the overlap with the Santa Ana wind season (October to January), which historically peaks in winter. This overlap created a volatile environment where fires could ignite and spread rapidly, as noted by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain in an interview with Inside Climate News.

The Palisades Fire, which started in Pacific Palisades near Malibu, quickly grew to 23,448 acres, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena consumed 14,117 acres. Both fires were human-caused, though the exact triggers remain under investigation. Satellite imagery from NASA’s AVIRIS-3 instrument, collected on January 10 and 16, revealed the extent of the destruction, showing charred residential streets in Altadena and scorched coastlines in Malibu. By January 31, both fires were fully contained, but the damage was already done.

The Human and Economic Toll

The wildfires’ impact was staggering. At least 29 people lost their lives, with some dying while attempting to protect their homes. Over 200,000 residents were forced to evacuate, and more than 18,000 structures were destroyed, making the Eaton and Palisades fires the second and third most destructive in California’s history, respectively. The economic losses are estimated at $150 billion, ranking this disaster among the costliest in modern U.S. history, according to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

Entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. In Pacific Palisades, the Pacific Coast Highway was closed for weeks due to extensive damage, with Malibu’s mayor, Doug Stewart, warning of potential landslides if rain followed the fires. In Altadena, satellite images showed row after row of homes engulfed in smoke and flames. The fires also displaced wildlife, with the Los Angeles Equestrian Center becoming a refuge for hundreds of horses, cows, pigs, and other animals evacuated from the fire zones.

Air quality in Los Angeles deteriorated significantly, with the PM2.5 levels at the Harrison ES station reaching 184.1 μg/m3—36.8 times the World Health Organization’s annual guideline value. Over 414,000 customers lost power at the peak of the crisis, with 35,000 still without electricity by January 12. The environmental impact extended beyond the land, as ash and toxic runoff from the fires washed into the Pacific Ocean, threatening marine life. Researchers from Heal the Bay and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography reported ash coating the ocean surface up to 100 miles offshore, raising concerns about harmful algal blooms and the health of species like humpback whales, California sea lions, and anchovies.

Response and Recovery Efforts

The response to the wildfires was a massive, multi-national effort. Over 14,000 firefighters, including teams from Mexico, Canada, and various U.S. states, battled the blazes. Mexican firefighters arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on January 12, while Canada deployed 60 firefighters, water bombers, and incident management teams. The Israel Defense Forces provided data analysis support, creating fire zone maps for American teams, and the Japanese government pledged $2 million through the Red Cross for evacuation sites and support.

Governor Gavin Newsom urged residents to follow evacuation orders and worked with federal authorities to secure aid, emphasizing a non-political approach to the crisis. On January 8, California received a Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking federal resources for recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened disaster recovery centers in West Los Angeles and Pasadena on January 14, assisting victims with financial aid applications. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a historic hazardous materials cleanup by February 26, removing dangerous debris from nearly 14,000 properties.

However, recovery efforts faced challenges. The Department of Government Efficiency’s attempt to release water through the Jones Pumping Plant was thwarted by maintenance issues, and some criticized the Trump administration’s response, including President-elect Donald Trump’s claim that Newsom refused to sign a “water restoration declaration” to protect a “worthless fish called the smelt.” Newsom’s office dismissed this as “pure fiction,” launching CaliforniaFireFacts.com to combat misinformation.

A Critical Perspective: Systemic Issues and Climate Change

While the immediate response was commendable, the January wildfires exposed deeper systemic issues. Many of the destroyed homes were in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where human development meets natural landscapes. A CalMatters analysis found that nearly 45% of homes built in California between 1990 and 2020 are in these fire-prone zones, with 14 million Californians—1 in 3—living in the WUI. The fires’ rapid spread through these areas highlights the need for stricter building codes and better vegetation management, as noted by Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy.

Climate change played a undeniable role in the disaster. The extended dry season, intensified Santa Ana winds, and weather whiplash—oscillating between heavy rainfall and severe drought—created a tinderbox. Climate Central and World Weather Attribution found that climate change increased the likelihood of such events by 31–66% since 1950, with a 3-degree temperature rise potentially doubling the risk. Yet, some climate models may still underestimate the full extent of these risks, suggesting a need for more robust forecasting and mitigation strategies.

There’s also a question of accountability. Posts on X reported by the Los Angeles Times on March 19 indicated that Southern California Edison (SCE) power lines, overdue for “ignition risk” repairs, were suspected of sparking the Eaton Fire. Lawsuits have emerged alleging negligence, pointing to uncleared brush and ignored warnings. This raises concerns about whether utility companies are doing enough to prevent such disasters, especially given a 2022 audit that found utilities lacking in fire prevention measures.

Looking Ahead: Lessons and Challenges

The January 2025 wildfires serve as a stark reminder of California’s vulnerability to climate-driven disasters. While the immediate crisis has passed, the long-term recovery will be arduous. Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-24-25 on March 27 to accelerate rebuilding, but debates in Congress over a $40 billion federal aid package for Altadena reflect the challenges of funding such efforts. Some senators, like Alex Padilla and Cory Booker, advocate for massive support, but others question the lack of a clear plan.

For residents, the emotional and financial toll is immense. Communities like Altadena and Pacific Palisades are rebuilding, but the scars of the fires will linger. The environmental impact on the ocean, with potential threats to marine ecosystems, adds another layer of complexity to the recovery process. As California braces for future fire seasons, experts like Chief Fennessy emphasize the need for proactive measures—modern building codes, public education, and coordinated planning—to reduce future risks.

The January wildfires were a wake-up call, not just for California but for the world. They underscore the urgent need to address climate change, improve infrastructure resilience, and rethink how we live in fire-prone regions. As one Angeleno put it in a post on X, “We can’t keep pretending this is normal. We need to act—now.” The question remains: will this disaster finally spur the systemic changes needed, or will it be another chapter in California’s ongoing struggle with fire? Only time will tell.

Ash Wednesday 2021

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of the season of Lent. Many reflections come to my mind, in particular, the humility we should aspire to live by.  It is also 2 days after St. Valentine's day, a day hijacked by secularism to reflect relationships.  More on this later.

During Ash Wednesday, we receive the ashes as a sign of repentance, humility, and reminder of our finite existence on Earth. The use of ashes is not new and can be found in Sacred Scripture: Esther 4:1, Job 42:6, and Daniel 9:3.

The ashes remind us of our state of this world.  "We are dust and to dust, we shall return" which comes from Genesis 3:19.  It is a reminder that we are not an end in ourselves.  Our lives, our successes, our education, in a word; our entire being returns to dust and ashes after death.  All that we were or could have been is reduced to a pile of ashes.  The whole thought is humbling.  The very word 'humbling' comes from 'humility.'  The word 'humility' comes from 'humus' which means 'dirt, soil or ashes from the Earth.'  The ashes placed on us should remind us of humility.  It should remind us that eventually, we will die and that life should be well spent, so to speak.  

We do not have all the time in the world so we must make good use of it in order to try our best to follow God's will.  As Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states:  

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;"

God will call each one of us in due time. We will face judgment immediately after death as Hebrews 9:27 tells us, and there is no attorney nor can we make use of an alibi.  It is important that we try to do God's will and not waste our lives on sin and other vices that give the illusion of happiness or joy. Like the quote from the classic movie, "A Bronx Tale" produced by Robert De Niro states: "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."  We all have the talents necessary along with God's grace in order to live a virtuous life and grow spiritually.  Ash Wednesday and Lent should remind us of this.

The ashes remind us of our finite state in this world. We are no almost a year from the onset of the alleged global pandemic of the covid-19 coronavirus.  This virus froze the world, literally.  Nations were and some still are on lockdown. Churches were shut down in many areas and still remain so. The Sacraments were denied to many.  It has been a disastrous period.  Let us not even forget the many deaths linked to this virus.  Covid-19 reminded us of our mortality perhaps more than ashes could ever do.  Life is short.  Covid-19 has reminded us day after day about this.  Many of us live in fear because of this virus.  We are stuck now wearing masks and performing sanitary rituals.  This is a sort of imposed Lent on all of us, Christian and non-Christian.  We should reflect on this.  

The popular Oscar-winning movie, "Joker" has a line where the Joker Arthur Fleck says, "I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it's a comedy."  Many times, we may see life as a tragedy. Some even take their lives because of this belief. Life is not a tragedy. In fact, it is a comedy of sort. If we sit down and think carefully, the things we get mad over or that we let bother us are tiny compared to life and our potentiality.  We are in control of our lives. Fasting and abstaining from meat remind us that we can give up anything in order to grow spiritually, even sustenance.  This shouldn't be a burden for 'man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God." (Matthew 4:4)  

As an atheist, existentialism was part of my frame of mind which states that all rests on the individual - we are an end in ourselves.  Ash Wednesday added to my way of thinking.  It reminded me that I am not an end in myself.  My intellectual reasoning ability, my knowledge, my talents, etc eventually will dissipate as I take my last breath.  This allowed me to consider that there has to be more to life, this couldn't be it on Earth.  However, this is a topic for another blog post.

Unfortunately, some Catholics rely on the external aspect of days like Ash Wednesday.  The "A&P Catholics" come to church on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday out of 'duty' or false piety and not a genuine search for God and discipline to grow more in Him.  Like the Pharisees, they do not internalize the symbolism behind the sacramentals given on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. Faith cannot become a mere "duty" or "obligation."  It must be a way of life.  The ashes on Ash Wednesday must not become a pagan ritual if you will.  There is nothing magical about the use of ashes. It does not have any powers.  They are just holy reminders of our mortality.   

I hope you attending Ash Wednesday Mass today or if you receive ashes during a service that you remind yourself that we must be humble.  We must remember that we are indeed 'dust and to dust, we shall return.'  Nothing will change this.  No advancements in science or medicine will make death a thing of the past.  The ashes should remind us that the hourglass is slowly emptying and that we must make every effort to use every precious second to grow spiritually in God's grace.  We will fall along the way, but God will help us get back up.

The first reading reminds us that we have to return to the Lord.  Our fasting, the ashes we receive, our abstaining from meat much have an internal meaning, the rending of our hearts.  God is merciful and gracious.  He waits for us to return to Him.  In this season of Lent, we must do our best to return to God. None of us are perfect.  We all sin. However, sin is not the end of the story.  Sin is the villain in our story that we have to defeat.  We can only do this by living a holy life of prayer and reception of the Sacraments. These bring about a greater representation of Christ in the world. We begin to love God and our neighbor more and more.  We start to gain the courage to face all trials.  Lent is a special time in the Church. We walk with Jesus in the desert, face temptation, and walk out victorious with Christ Jesus. 

The first reading reminds us of the need to ask God for mercy; to spare His people!  We receive the ashes as a reminder of our mortality. Humans are just dust and to dust, they shall return. Scientifically speaking, we are carbon-based lifeforms who are made of "stardust," as the late Carl Sagan famously stated. Our accomplishments, our intelligence, our capacity to reason should not make us feel pride as if we are gods on earth; we are not!  Nature is constantly reminding humanity that despite its accomplishments, a simple act of God can wipe everything away. The wildfires and losses of wildlife due to man-made activities that add to global warming remind us of how our pride will be our destruction.  As Scripture says, after pride, the fall comes (Proverbs 16:18).  Man thinks he can control the forces of nature and destroy the environment, but he is reminded time in and time out that God ordained nature to function in a certain way and if man interferes, he will suffer the consequences. Today, there is the fear of a pandemic that is taking hold. The Coronavirus or COVID19 is taking the world by storm. Is this divine justice, part of man-made global warming, or just nature doing its thing?  We may never know. However, the timing cannot be coincidental. Nevertheless, even this disease is reminding man that he is not an end to himself. The ashes today remind us of this. This is why we must repent and believe in the Gospel. 

We need mercy from God for we have sinned, as the responsorial Psalm says.  God is indeed mercy. There is no sin He will not forgive unless it is the sin against the Holy Spirit or the sin of not trusting in God's mercy and avoiding it. Only God can cleanse us of our sins and guilt. Only God can create a pure heart in us and a steadfast spirit. We must take this time during Lent to call on God to have mercy on us so that we can proclaim His praise.  The second reading tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ.  We represent Christ in our state in life to others.  Therefore, we must be holy and humble.  We must be full of love and mercy.  This can only be done if we are reconciled with God.  Jesus became the image of sin (human) but did not sin so that He could rescue us from sin.  We must not be ingrates and receive God's grace with humility and not vain. Ashes on our foreheads are not a trophy to show off to others.  They are a reminder that we are mere dust.  They give witnesses that we are nothing but dust before God and therefore must rely on Him and His mercy.

The Gospel today reminds us that our righteous deeds are not supposed to be for self-glorification or promotion. We must not "blow a trumpet" before ourselves in order to be looked upon as if we are religious celebrities. Instead, we must pray in private, do things in private whether it is giving to the poor or helping others.  In other words, we must not make a spectacle of our actions as if we need to be praised by others because we did well.  Praying and doing good must be directed towards God, not self-glorification. During Lent, we fast and abstain from meat. This may be hard for some of us. However, we must not walk around with gloomy faces so that others can see and focus on our misery as if we fast and abstain in order to feel pity from others or garner attention.  God will reward us for suffering in silence.  Joy has to be part of this as well. We do all of these sacrifices for a greater purpose which brings joy. During Ash Wednesday Mass in 2020 at my old parish St. Dominic in the Bronx, as I was distributing ashes. A father came carrying his baby girl. As I placed the ashes on her forehead, she gave me a stern look and grabbed my hand to take it away. We all laughed. It reminded me of what Jesus said about being like a child. We must be humble and not take ourselves seriously. Our fasting and abstinence must serve to make us stronger, not miserable, bitter, or neurotic.  

As mentioned previously, many in America and around the world also celebrate Valentine's day.  On this day, couples give each other chocolates, roses, cards, and whatnot.  Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality and that we must repent.  We can repent and change because God wants us to and allows us to.  This is because He loves us.  God is love. God is the ultimate love.  Love finds its definition in God.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day by repenting and accepting the Love of all Loves: Jesus Christ.

Take this time during Lent to refocus your attention on God. Do things for His honor and glory, not your own.  Wear the ashes as a witness to your mortality and as a witness to your conversion to Christ. Do not wear them in order to show off as if the ashes cry out "Hey!, I am a Catholic."  This is not what Ash Wednesday is about. Remember to be humble. We are just dust, not gods. Live your life to serve and love others.  In today's Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours, the reading tells us that God prefers service to others over ashes or rituals.  It says: "Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high. Is that the sort of fast that pleases me, a truly penitential day for men? Hanging your head like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the sort of fast that pleases me – it is the Lord who speaks – to break unjust fetters and undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke, to share your bread with the hungry, and shelter the homeless poor, to clothe the man you see to be naked and not turn from your own kin? Then will your light shine like the dawn and your wound be quickly healed over."  This is from Isaiah 58:1-12.  Let us not get caught up in ashes or rituals but put the significance of them into practice.   May Jesus Christ be praised!

Readings:  Ash Wednesday | USCCB

Ash Wednesday 2020

Today is Ash Wednesday the beginning of the season of Lent. Many reflections come to my mind, in particular, the humility we should aspire to live by.  It is also St. Valentine's day, a day hijacked by secularism to reflect relationships.  More on this later.

During Ash Wednesday, we receive the ashes as a sign of repentance, humility, and reminder of our finite existence on Earth. The use of ashes is not new and can be found in Sacred Scripture: Esther 4:1, Job 42:6 and Daniel 9:3.

The ashes remind us of our state of this world.  "We are dust and to dust, we shall return" which comes from Genesis 3:19.  It is a reminder that we are not an end in ourselves.  Our lives, our successes, our education, in a word; our entire being returns to dust and ashes after death.  All that we were or could have been is reduced to a pile of ashes.  The whole thought is humbling.  The very word 'humbling' comes from 'humility.'  The word 'humility' comes from 'humus' which means 'dirt, soil or ashes from the Earth.'  The ashes placed on us should remind us of humility.  It should remind us that eventually, we will die and that life should be well spent, so to speak.  

We do not have all the time in the world so we must make good use of it in order to try our best to follow God's will.  As Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 states:  

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;"

God will call each one of us in due time. We will face judgment immediately after death as Hebrews 9:27 tells us, and there is no attorney nor can we make use of any alibi.  It is important that we try to do God's will and not waste our lives on sin and other vices that give the illusion of happiness or joy. Like the quote from the classic movie, "A Bronx Tale" produced by Robert De niro states: "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent."  We all have the talents necessary along with God's grace in order to live a virtuous life and grow spiritually.  Ash Wednesday and Lent should remind us of this.

The ashes remind us of our finite state in this world. The popular Oscar winning movie, "Joker" has a line where the Joker Arthur Fleck says, "I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it's a comedy."  Many times, we may see life as a tragedy. Some even take their lives because of this belief. Life is not a tragedy. In fact, it is a comedy of sort. If we sit down and think carefully, the things we get mad over or that we let bother use are tiny compared to life and our potentiality.  We are in control of our lives. The fasting and abstaining from meat remind us that we can give up anything in order to grow spiritually, even sustenance.  This shouldn't be a burden for 'man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God." (Matthew 4:4)  

As an atheist, existentialism was part of my frame of mind which states that all rests on the individual - we are an end in ourselves.  Ash Wednesday added to my way of thinking.  It reminded me that I am not an end in myself.  My intellectual reasoning ability, my knowledge, my talents etc eventually will dissipate as I take my last breath.  This allowed me to consider that there has to be more to life, this couldn't be it on Earth.  However, this is a topic for another blog post.

Unfortunately, some Catholics rely on the external aspect of days like Ash Wednesday.  The "A&P Catholics" come to church on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday out of 'duty' or false piety and not a genuine search for God and discipline to grow more in Him.  Like the Pharisees, they do not internalize the symbolism behind the sacramentals given on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. Faith cannot become a mere "duty" or "obligation."  It must be a way of life.  The ashes on Ash Wednesday must not become a pagan ritual, if you will.  There is nothing magical about the use of ashes. It does not have any powers.  They are just holy reminders of our mortality.   

I hope you attending Ash Wednesday Mass today or if you receive ashes during a service that you remind yourself that we must be humble.  We must remember that we are indeed 'dust and to dust, we shall return.'  Nothing will change this.  No advancements in science or medicine will make death a thing of the past.  The ashes should remind us that the hourglass is slowly emptying and that we must make every effort to use every precious second to grow spiritual in God's grace.  We will fall along the way, but God will help us get back up.

The first reading reminds us that we have to return to the Lord.  Our fasting, the ashes we receive, our abstaining from meat much have an internal meaning, the rending of our hearts.  God is merciful and gracious.  He waits for us to return to Him.  In this season of Lent, we must do our best to return to God. None of us are perfect.  We all sin. However, sin is not the end of the story.  Sin is the villain in our story that we have to defeat.  We can only do this by living a holy life of prayer and reception of the Sacraments. These bring about a greater representation of Christ in the world. We begin to love God and our neighbor more and more.  We start to gain courage to face all trials.  Lent is a special time in the Church. We walk with Jesus in the desert, face temptation and walk out victorious with Christ Jesus.

The first reading reminds us the need to ask God for mercy; to spare His people!  We receive the ashes as a reminder of our mortality. Humans are just dust and to dust they shall return. Scientifically speaking, we are carbon based lifeforms who are made of "star dust," as the late Carl Sagan famously stated. Our accomplishments, our intelligence, our capacity to reason should not make us feel pride as if we are gods on earth; we are not!  Nature is constantly reminding humanity that despite its accomplishments, a simply act of God can wipe everything away. The wildfires and losses of wildlife due to man made activities which add to global warming remind us of how our pride will be our destruction.  As Scripture says, after pride, the fall comes (Proverbs 16:18).  Man thinks he can control the forces of nature and destroy the environment, but he is reminded time in and time out that God ordained nature to function in a certain way and if man interferes, he will suffer the consequences. Today, there is fear of a pandemic that is taking hold. The Coronavirus or COVID19 is taking the world by storm. Is this divine justice, part of man-made global warming or just nature doing its thing?  We may never know. However, the timing cannot be coincidental. Nevertheless, even this disease is reminding man that he is not an end to himself. The ashes today remind us of this. This is why we must repent and believe in the Gospel.

We need mercy from God for we have sinned, as the responsorial Psalm says.  God is indeed mercy. There is no sin He will not forgive unless it is the sin against the Holy Spirit, or the sin of not trusting in God's mercy and avoiding it. Only God can cleanse us of our sins and guilt. Only God can create a pure heart in us and a steadfast spirit. We must take this time during Lent to call on God to have mercy on us so that we can proclaim His praise.  The second reading tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ.  We represent Christ in our state in life to others.  Therefore, we must be holy and humble.  We must be full of love and mercy.  This can only be done if we ar reconciled with God.  Jesus became the image of sin (human) but did not sin so that He could rescue us from sin.  We must not be ingrates and receive God's grace with humility and not vain. Ashes on our foreheads are not a trophy to show off to others.  They are a reminder that we are mere dust.  They give witnesses that we are nothing but dust before God and therefore must rely on Him and His mercy.

The Gospel today reminds us that our righteous deeds are not supposed to be for self-glorification or promotion. We must not "blow a trumpet" before ourselves in order to be looked upon as if we are religious celebrities. Instead, we must pray in private, do things in private whether it is giving to the poor or helping others.  In other words, we must not make a spectacle of our actions as if we need to be praised by others because we did good.  Praying and doing good must be directed towards God, not self-glorification. During Lent, we fast and abstain from meat. This may be hard for some of us. However, we must not walk around with gloomy faces so that others can see and focus on our misery as if we fast and abstain in order to feel pity from others or garner attention.  God will reward us for suffering in silence.  Joy has to be part of this as well. We do all of these sacrifices for a greater purpose which brings joy. During Ash Wednesday Mass at my old parish St. Dominic in the Bronx, as I was distributing ashes. A father came carrying his baby girl. As I placed the ashes on her forehead, she gave me a stern look and grabbed my hand to take it away. We all laughed. It reminded me of what Jesus said about being like a child. We must be humble and not take ourselves seriously. Our fasting and abstinence must serve to make us stronger, not miserable, bitter or neurotic. 

As mentioned previously, many in America and around the world also celebrate Valentine's day.  On this day, couples give each other chocolates, roses, cards and what not.  The fact that both days collided this year is interesting and can be used as a reflection.  Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality and that we must repent.  We can repent and change because God wants us to and allows us to.  This is because He loves us.  God is love. God is the ultimate love.  Love finds its definition in God.  What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine's day by repenting and accepting the Love of all Loves: Jesus Christ.

Take this time during Lent to refocus your attention to God. Do things for His honor and glory, not your own.  Wear the ashes as a witness to your mortality and as a witness to your conversion to Christ. Do not wear them in order to show off as if the ashes cry out "Hey!, I am a Catholic."  This is not what Ash Wednesday is about. Remember to be humble. We are just dust, not gods. May Jesus Christ be praised!


Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022620.cfm

Selling the Social Soul

Today we are seeing a wave of strange ideas being passed into law.  From the legalization of mock marriages with same sex couples to the legalization of psychoactive drugs once thought of to be bad; the nation seems to have gone into the "Twilight Zone."

A few months ago, New Jersey's governor Chris Christie broke his integrity by calling off his state's appeal against a ruling that legalized so-called "gay marriage." He sold himself to a tyrannical minority subculture which seeks to undermine what has held society together since man walked the Earth. Like Judas, he out of despair of losing an upcoming election and greed to keep votes, sold himself in order to win favor with those on the wrong side of reason, morality and history.

Unfortunately for him, this transaction has backfired for he is now facing scandal after scandal. It is said that when one makes a deal with the devil all seems to go well and then that changes.  The devil is a liar and will not keep his promises. This is why Christ's temptation story is important. Christ was offered all in exchange for His renunciation of God the Father's plan.  Christ of course said "Go away Satan!" (Matthew 4:1-11)  Later on in His ministry, Christ asks "what will man gain if he loses his soul and gains the world?" (Matthew 16:26)  Governor Christie gained reelection with his betrayal against traditional marriage and now has lost himself in scandal after scandal.

Moreover, California is suffering its worst drought ever in its history.  Wildfires have claimed many areas and have left officials trying to figure out how to fight them.

While these fires are common in the state, the last few months have presented the state with fires that are extremely difficult to fight and which are more powerful than those of years ago.  Many structures have been burned down to ruins while religious structures have remained untouched.

As you may know, prop 8, or the ban on so-called "gay marriage" which was voted into law by the people of California was struck down by the Supreme Court for not being represented by the "right people," so to speak.  Immediately following this reversal, the fires and drought came.

We know from Scripture that God used fire to punish the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their immorality, in particular homosexual behavior which went so far that it disrespected the angels who accompanied Lot and his family (Genesis 19).

If that is not enough, most of the northeast has legalized so-called "gay marriage" and since then have face some of the worst storms on record. They have been getting hurricanes and snowstorms after snowstorms as well as temperatures that are unheard of.

"The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet."  Nahum 1:3

Moreover, the entire United States experience cold temperatures that are not typical for its position on the Earth.  Even Miami, Florida known for its year round 80 degree weather went down to below freezing.    

"See, the storm of the Lord will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked."  Jeremiah 23:19

Is God warning us?  While we as Catholics believe in the Divine Mercy, we must also remember that God is just.

St. John Vianney had this to say:

"In fact, my children, it is sin that brings upon us all calamities, all scourges, war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, fires, frost, hail, storms - all that afflicts us, all that makes us miserable." (Chapter 14 paragraph 8)

Nature rebels when sin gets out of control. Nature ever since the fall has waited in frustration for the holy ones to rise up and bring about God's redemption and glory. (Romans 8:19-23)

St. Faustina wrote about an angel sent to punish a city in her diary:

"I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath... about to strike the earth...I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment...."

Let us pause and reflect on what is going on.  Is it worth it selling the social soul to the dark side? Let's get America's soul back from the evil one.  Who's with me?