AshWednesday: Ashes in public?

[AveMaria]

I saw this over at OBOB and thought it might also make an interesting discussion here.

At my table last night, during the pancake feast, several of us were discussing which Ash Wednesday service we would be attending (7 am, 12 noon, 5 pm or 7 pm) and whether or not we would be wiping/washing our foreheads clean.

One gentleman noted that although he would be at the 7 am service, he had to clean his forehead before he got to work, because he is in management in the corporate world and would be conducting employee-performance review interviews that day and he was worried that it might give any employee who received a less-than-stellar review a reason to file a discrimination complaint.

Another lady mentioned that she usually goes to the last service and goes directly home, letting the ashes wear off overnight, on her pillow...because she doesn't know what to do when she's out in public or at work and people tell her "Ooo, hang on, you're got dirt on your face, hold still, I'll get it off."

Anyone experience these sorts of things and how do you deal? Anyone have particularly strong feelings one way or the other, on wearing your ashes in public? Can it be an effective witness or does it serve to promote alienation?

[PaladinValer]

I'll only wash mine off if they don't "stick right." Last year, when I was still an undergrad student, the Interfaith center held an ecumenical Ash Wednesday service and the closest line was with the Lutheran pastor. Nice enough gal, but her "blend" didn't stick very well at all. I washed it off and got a much better blend at my college/grad school Episcopal parish later at seven.

I'll be going to the ecumenical service and the 7pm service at my parish. If the ashes don't stick well the first time, I'll wash them off and try again in the evening.

[TomUK]

I find it incredibely symbolic to keep it on for the time immediately after the service, especially if you're walking home- imagine walking down your road or through a city with an ash sign of the cross on your forehead if for no other reason than as a great source of evanglelism.

[benedictine]

I find it incredibely symbolic to keep it on for the time immediately after the service, especially if you're walking home- imagine walking down your road or through a city with an ash sign of the cross on your forehead if for no other reason than as a great source of evanglelism.

:amen: :amen: :amen: :amen:

And, If I go toi the parish near my home, I will be walking home.

[Bonifatius]

I find it incredibely symbolic to keep it on for the time immediately after the service, especially if you're walking home- imagine walking down your road or through a city with an ash sign of the cross on your forehead if for no other reason than as a great source of evanglelism.

That's exactly what I think! Let people look at your face and wonder what it is ... Many people would know it has something to do with Ash Wednesday and they will immediately spot you as THE CHRISTIAN. Easy way to profess your faith, isn't it?

Greetings
Tom

[Father Rick]

Last year, I was at an evening Ash Wednesday service with my bishop. Following the service, Bishop, my wife, and I went to Red Lobster--with ashes. Apparently, one of the large Roman Churches in the area had just gotten out as well. When we walked in, for some reason nearly EVERYONE in the place turned to look at us-- and about 2/3 of the people had ashes as well. The hostess who was going to seat us just stopped, looked at us, and said "So you're the ones responsible!"

[Songspinner]

I would love to keep my ashes on all night (I go to the 7:30pm service) Unfourtunatly with all this hair i'm lucky if it sticks till the end of the service. Not to mention that with easter being so early, we're still in a deep freese up here (-20 today) So when I'm walking home there's no way I'm having any skin showing, with or without ashes on.

[Father Rick]

Well, not every priest does this... but the way I was trained is to mix a little oil with the ashes. This makes them 'stick' really well.



....... of course, it also makes my thumb/hands a mess, so I really have to clean them well before continuing on to Eucharist.

[Iron Sun 254]

Last year, I was at an evening Ash Wednesday service with my bishop. Following the service, Bishop, my wife, and I went to Red Lobster--with ashes. Apparently, one of the large Roman Churches in the area had just gotten out as well. When we walked in, for some reason nearly EVERYONE in the place turned to look at us-- and about 2/3 of the people had ashes as well. The hostess who was going to seat us just stopped, looked at us, and said "So you're the ones responsible!"

^_^

In NYC there's many, many people who walk around with the ashes on their heads and nobody ever seems to make a big deal about it.

[RedneckAnglican]

I'm leaving mine on...A few years ago when I had just become Episcopalian I had gotten ashes and saw my baptist sister-in-law that evening...I had been going to church with my Baptist in-laws because the Methodist church had kinda left a bad taste in my mouth...my sister-in-law sees the ashes and asks me "How my different Religions are you any way?"...

[Zacharias]

I find it incredibely symbolic to keep it on for the time immediately after the service, especially if you're walking home- imagine walking down your road or through a city with an ash sign of the cross on your forehead if for no other reason than as a great source of evanglelism.


:thumbsup: :cool: :amen:

That's exactly how I feel!

[SirTimothy]

I'm going to Alpha rather than service tonight. Otherwise I'd be playing. EEK!

Timothy (Glad to have a day when he doesn't have to play anywhere...)

[masuwerte]

I wiped mine off after the 9 am service. The Gospel reading was all about not making a big show of fasting and prayer, but to pray quietly in one's innermost room and to smile while fasting, and leaving the ashes on seems like it might be construed by others as boastful. Plus, I don't really like to be the center of attention.

[Mic]

I thought the same thing when I heard the Gospel reading, masuwerte.

Mic

[Brian Augustyn]

I wiped mine off after the 9 am service. The Gospel reading was all about not making a big show of fasting and prayer, but to pray quietly in one's innermost room and to smile while fasting, and leaving the ashes on seems like it might be construed by others as boastful. Plus, I don't really like to be the center of attention.

I heard something interestingly contrary in the sermon at the Ash Wednesday Eucharist.

The priest suggested that in the modern era, it does indeed sound like a warning against any outward sign of faith, including ashes. But historically, not showing ashes on Ash Wednesday would be the way to broadcast your distinctiveness, since everyone else would have them; from kings and bishops to business people and laborers. It was a sign of Christian solidarity, not a boast of individual piety.

So, I left mine on my head all day. In New York City, where I work, I was surrounded by hundreds of others with the same marking; other Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Lutherans and certainly many others. I felt much more like one of the sheep than a self-satisfied holy loner.

:)
Brian

[tonigrace]

I'm new here - this is my first post. I went to the 7AM service yesterday and wore my ashes all day. I am a field engineer and travel to different hospitals and labs working on their equipment. The first lab I went to was in a pretty large hospital and there were quite a few people walking around with ashes on. The next lab I went to was a smaller lab with many non-Christian employees. I felt much more self-concious then, but no one mentioned the smudge on my forehead.

[Father Rick]

Welcome aboard tonigrace!