He approaches it differently than I do.  I need to begin by saying that his theology is correct.  I may not agree with his mindset on practicing that theology entirely, I certainly can respect it and affirm it.  We are never called to a shallow faith or a shallow display of faith.  We are never called to put on the make-up of faith as a substitute for real transformation, real repentance, real joy.  And certainly - as with literally any aspect of the Christian life - signs and even Sacraments can be abused and misused by people who seek to redefine them for their own ends.  I am thinking particularly of this rather short article about a church that decided to offer Communion on a street corner to anybody who was interested in receiving it - church affiliated or otherwise.  

We are linked together as physical and spiritual beings.  As such, what we do can exert an influence on who we are.  It serves as an external reminder of what ought to be going on inside.  Does it guarantee that this is what is going in on the inside?  Hardly.  But it should give us pause for thought.  If my pastor is asking me to put this ancient symbol for mourning and repentance on my forehead, should I be giving special attention to repentance and confession?  Hmmmm...

Whether you tend to agree with Rev. Cwirla or not, I pray that Lent is a time of alignment for you, where the faith that you profess becomes deeper and richer and more real to you - both inside and out.  This is part of our Christian and Lenten journey, towards a destination that will one day unify our insides and outsides, align them perfectly and completely in a way I can't even begin to imagine.