Today is Ash Wednesday and it makes the start of the Lenten season in the Catholic liturgical calendar and it's the only time of year where a symbol of our faith is visible to the world. Gus asks listeners to call in and talk about whether or not they wear their ashes on their forehead the entire day and why.
Also, one element of Ash Wednesday that's become en vogue over the last several years is the idea of "drive-thru" ashes. In some areas of the country, churches will just dispense ashes to people throughout Ash Wednesday. It has met with some criticism and referred to by some as a "watered-down" version of the faith even though ashes are a sacramental and Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation. Gus gets listener opinion on the subject of "drive-thru" ashes.
And, it's become a Seize the Day tradition to invite listeners to come on the show and talk about what their Lenten penances are. Gus continues the tradition and, in addition to many of the typical penances like praying the Rosary, giving up sweets and soda and more spiritual reading, Gus hears some interesting ones like praying the obituaries, drinking four beers a day on Tuesdays only and giving up grandma's meatballs.
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