Ash Wednesday or Valentine's Day? Maybe both? Well, I'll let you handle the Valentine's observance and I will stay with Ash Wednesday.
Of course, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent - which means lengthening in Latin (lencton). It refers to the lengthening of days in springtime. Lent is the forty day march toward Holy Week and Easter. We most often consider it a time for deep reflection on our faith, the new directions we are willing to head, and what sacrifices we are willing to make in order to pursue the good.
Ash Wednesday has a particular direction and force. It at once states that life is often broken and we break it, and that we all have a finite shelf life, a limited time during this earthly stay. Knowing these two aspects, bringing them into sharp relief, helps us live more deeply and fully. We need healing and hope. And that is exactly what is promised.
Most of all Ash Wednesday tells the truth about life. It's often not comfortable. But in the end wearing the ashes shows us one side of the story that can't be denied: This life is not forever. And now that I'm clear about that I can live like I'm meant to and hope like I need to.
All that makes Easter different. When we sing of God's eternity and overcoming death there is an irrepressible victory. Out of the ashes arises the Phoenix. Beyond imagining, it arises.