This is not my face.But......my face may look like this later today. I haven't decided yet. As a life-long Baptist, I have never been a member of a church that recognized Ash Wednesday with the imposition of ashes on the forehead.
I have had friends who "gave up something for Lent", but I never did. I never really felt led to do that. Perhaps it was because I didn't truly understand why, or perhaps I just was too self-aborbed to learn more about it.
Oh, I know all about Ash Wednesday and what it means! We lived in New Orleans for over three years, and I worked for a costumer there who created beautiful Mardi Gras gowns from bolts of fabric and trays of beautiful gems. Our focus was more on the flamboyant balls and parades leading up to Fat Tuesday. While some people truly recognized Ash Wednesday for the religious significance it deserves, for others it was just a day to sleep off the partying from the day before. Ash Wednesday was the day they cleaned up the streets and repaired all the damage from the prior celebrations.
Now I find myself visiting a church that places more significance on Ash Wednesday than I ever have. Tonight we are attending a service where you can receive ashes on your forehead if you so desire. I'm not sure.....will everyone do that? I don't want to join in for the wrong reason.
Would love some input on this subject.........
3 comments:
Marinne, our church does an ash wednsday service every year in the early morning. I always enjoyed it and felt it was a significant moment of reflection and ushering in the Lenten season. Of course, I missed it this morning because I was asleep...but Isaac has ashes on his forehead. I think many Baptist churches miss out on a great deal when they don't know much about the liturgical year...
Thanks Jenny! Loved your viewpoint!
Jenny, I thought Jews didn't celebrate Ash Wednesday!
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