While most people recognize each passing year (if not each passing day) brings us closer to physical death, Christians recognize our burial with Christ in baptism is the beginning of our mortal pilgrimage to eternal life. On Ash Wednesday, we who are but dust and ash into whom God has breathed the Spirit of Life, move forward to the eternal LIFE Christ gifts to all who receive Him through repentance and faith. Whether He comes to us with all His holy angels or we go to Him, Christians grow daily closer to the shedding of our mortal bodies and the weight and burden of sin.