The big question today is whether or not to wipe the ashes off our forehead.  Ok, it might not be the big question, but it is a question that people ask from time to time. There are two reasons that folks want to wipe them off. One is purely practical; some folks don’t want to walk around with a smudge on their head. Non-liturgical people who may not know the tradition of Ash Wednesday are often eager to let us know that we have a smudge on our head, as though we were changing our oil, wiped sweat from our brow, and didn’t realize we left dirt behind. 

The other is religious. The gospel we hear on Ash Wednesday specifically says, don’t sound a trumpet when you give alms. I like that. Imagine sitting in church during an offertory anthem when the person next to you whips out their phone and plays a fanfare as their envelope is dropped in the plate. Not fun. It also says, don’t pray loudly on street corners like the hypocrites, but pray in secret. That’s right up our alley as Episcopalians…except for Ash Wednesday when many churches in our tradition go out onto street corners with Ashes to Go. That’s another story.

It also says don’t be Eeyore when you fast. Don’t remind us every three minutes that you gave up chocolate for Lent. Just say no thank you when the cookie is offered. Right? So for some, ashes on the forehead is like sounding a trumpet or showing off on the street, “Hey look how pious I am – I went to church today!” People who think like that might be inclined to rub their ashes off before they get too far into their day. 

But, as is often the case, there is another side. There are those who try to keep their ashes intact throughout the day. Not because it puffs them up with pride when they notice people glancing at their forehead. For some it is because every time they catch a glimpse of themselves it is a reminder about the meaning of the day and the entrance to a Holy Lent. I have no doubt that some folks are able to wear ashes all day, yet not with pride. It’s a countercultural form of penance in a modern world that tries to reduce the prevalence of uncomfortable moments and situations. It can be deeply devotional to bear that cross, a silent witness to our brokenness and the promise of re-creation at the same time. The world can use that reminder too.

So really, it’s up to you what you do with your ashen cross. It is less about wiping or leaving than it is the motivation behind our choice. Jesus is right. We don’t ever want to be trumpet blowers, Eeyores, or megaphones. We should just live into our devotions in a way that is meaningful to us. If it ever becomes about someone else we’ve missed the point and it’s no longer an act of devotion to God anyway. When it becomes about us, we have shifted into self-idol worship, ironically adding to the list of things we ought to be penitent about. 

So, enjoy your Ash Wednesday and your Lenten fasts and devotions. These are holy moments and opportunities. Don’t worry too much if you are doing things the right or wrong way. There’s no rule about having to give up something; just an invitation to fast, which you can choose to ignore. It’s ok to cheat on Sundays, since every Sunday is a “little Easter,” despite those of us who are die-hard Lenten fast-keepers who till tease you for your weakness.  Really, eat that blueberry crumble at brunch; I won’t say a word. And say those prayers. Prayer works, and they don’t require anyone else to know them to work.  God hears them whether they are shared or not. 

We’ve embarked on our Holy Lent, some of us a holier Lent than others. I’ll be going to my third Ash Wednesday service today in a bit. How many did you go to? Oh, here, hold my trumpet for me…

Tom+

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.