Will You Wear Your Ashes at Work Tomorrow?
Some of us don't like walking about with ashes on our foreheads at work. It makes us feel self-conscious. One way around this might be not to get your ashes until later in the day. Another is to skip the ashes altogether. It's not like it's a sin.
But don't do that please. While some people may think we Catholics odd for sporting a spot of smuts this one day, that shouldn't put you off. Bear this sign of your faith proudly, even at work. Despite my own occasional feelings of self-consciousness, I've sat through meetings, visited with clients, walked about town many an Ash Wednesday with my ashes there the full day. If you get them right away, first thing, it's almost a relief from that self-consciousness. The deed is done and you go about your business.
The City of New York sports what may be the most amazing Ash Wednesday "celebration" anywhere at St Patrick's Cathedral. For a period of my life, I worked in the neighborhood and a number of years received my ashes there. The lines are incredible, sometimes out the door and winding around the block, lasting most of the day. Considering the size of the Cathedral and the number of priests giving ashes, I can only imagine how many people get ashes there, although this article in the NY Times gave it a shot:
But wherever you will receive your ashes, and however you feel about them, take a few moments to meditate on this wonderful tradition. You might use the words the priest says when giving you ashes as the focus of your meditation. I'm hoping the priest uses the tradition formula when I get my ashes this year:
But even the more "modern" words "Repent and believe in the Gospel " can do the trick, although I must say the phrase lacks the impact of the original. There's something about that connection between the ashes and the fact that we are indeed dust that drives home our mortality in a particularly effective manner.
(Oh, and if you haven't yet decided just what special acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving you'll perform during Lent 2016, specifically how you can practice your spiritual discipline at work, you can find a few suggestions HERE.)
But don't do that please. While some people may think we Catholics odd for sporting a spot of smuts this one day, that shouldn't put you off. Bear this sign of your faith proudly, even at work. Despite my own occasional feelings of self-consciousness, I've sat through meetings, visited with clients, walked about town many an Ash Wednesday with my ashes there the full day. If you get them right away, first thing, it's almost a relief from that self-consciousness. The deed is done and you go about your business.
The City of New York sports what may be the most amazing Ash Wednesday "celebration" anywhere at St Patrick's Cathedral. For a period of my life, I worked in the neighborhood and a number of years received my ashes there. The lines are incredible, sometimes out the door and winding around the block, lasting most of the day. Considering the size of the Cathedral and the number of priests giving ashes, I can only imagine how many people get ashes there, although this article in the NY Times gave it a shot:
Although no one takes a count, church officials estimate that more than 40,000 people, including many out-of-towners, wend their way through the cathedral's doors to receive the traditional black smudges in the shape of a cross on their foreheads.I must confess there was something "special" getting ashes there, although that's not where I get them these days. You're with this mass of people, almost like an army, who bear this mark of Catholic distinction. It's a unique sort of camaraderie. I kind of miss it. Now it's just some local parish church with the hoi poloi who attend Mass and receive ashes afterwards. No sublime cathedral rafters, no army of busy New Yorkers, just a quiet few moments after Mass and you're done.
But wherever you will receive your ashes, and however you feel about them, take a few moments to meditate on this wonderful tradition. You might use the words the priest says when giving you ashes as the focus of your meditation. I'm hoping the priest uses the tradition formula when I get my ashes this year:
Remember man, thou art dust
and unto dust though shalt return
But even the more "modern" words "Repent and believe in the Gospel " can do the trick, although I must say the phrase lacks the impact of the original. There's something about that connection between the ashes and the fact that we are indeed dust that drives home our mortality in a particularly effective manner.
(Oh, and if you haven't yet decided just what special acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving you'll perform during Lent 2016, specifically how you can practice your spiritual discipline at work, you can find a few suggestions HERE.)
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