Marilyn asked me to write to you about our Ash Wednesday experience today. She and I attended a service celebrating Ash Wednesday at All Saints Episcopal Church during our lunch hour. I think she may have been a bit nervous about going since the Episcopal Church can be a bit intimidating to those not accustomed to the service. First off, there is a lot of sit/kneel/stand, sit/kneel/stand and when you don’t have someone versed in the tradition you often find yourself standing when all others are kneeling and kneeling when they’re standing. But Marilyn’s curiosity and commitment to this Lenten season got the best of her so off we went.
We sat in the back of the church so if things got too rough – or too long – we could slip out. To Marilyn’s surprise, and my relief, she found it to be a very meaningful service.
Growing up in the Episcopal Church, I am accustomed to giving up things for Lent: things like chocolate, sweets, even cokes, but I’ve never thought of giving up those barriers I place between myself and God that keep me from knowing him deeper.
The sermon began with a description of Shrove Tuesday (which was yesterday and which is also referred to as Fat Tuesday in Mardis Gras terms). It is a time of celebration involving costumes and masks. It is the last hoorah. Today, on Ash Wednesday, we are to remove those masks, remove those personas that we wear in our daily lives; the ones that we use to hide ourselves and to guard us against life and come before God as we are, our true selves, right where we are today.
We were invited to the altar to receive the blessing and imposition of ashes. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” was recited as each person knelt at the altar. What a powerful message that was on its own, but to hear it so many times only reinforced its meaning.
Marilyn and I enjoyed sharing Ash Wednesday service today with our fellow Christians; it was a worthwhile experience for the both of us. We are eager to use this Lenten season and this Bible study to remove those barriers that keep us from knowing God more fully and to use this time to reenergize our relationship with him. –Julie Hinds
3 comments:
I am so sorry that I couldn't experience this with you two. Maybe this is something we can do here at Trace Crossing next year. Thank you for sharing with us. JL
Hey, you did not tell about us getting back in the car afterwards and looking at our ash-marked foreheads in the rear view and visor mirrors, asking the question:
"Do we leave it on?..or wipe it off?...on or off?" On, it definitely was for the full experience. And, bless you, you had more explaining to do as I had the heavy bangs that pretty well covered the mark. Thanks for inviting me into this experience. It made a big impact. (And, you can write, too!)
Julie, What a beautiful expression of what the Lenten season can be. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and for taking Marilyn along. She is all about knowing Him more and a few ashes on the forehead surely didn't slow her down. Ashes, fuzz from the carpet, faces to the floor or raised in praise -- Our God is good!
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