Ashes to go? I don't think so

 Today is Ash Wednesday, and the Christian world (especially here in the states) is plagued by a relatively recent innovation in church 'services' called affectionately by its proponents- "ashes to go".  

I'll let the reader soak that in for a minute.  

Yes, clergy will stand on street corners throughout the nation to administer ashes to people who happen by and want to receive them.  Many have argued that this extends the Christian message and Lenten observance to more and more people, but does it really?   Or does it rather cheapen the sign and symbol of what those precious ashes actually represent?

The ashes we receive today are taken from burning the palms we blessed the previous Palm Sunday.  In that, they symbolize both the mortality of humanity's actions; as well as how quickly our voices of praise and celebration can turn to dust and be lost to the winds of time.  How loudly we exclaimed "Hosanna" to the savior, only to turn our backs and cast him onto the hill of Calvary less than a week later!  

The ashes represent our spurning of those and other evil deeds; promising to Christ our obedience and faithfulness to him and his holy Gospels.  They are an outward symbol of an inward and exterior desire and dedication to repentance and conversion of life; and not some simple mark we arbitrarily make on people's foreheads out of ritual observance.  Those who receive ashes are called and commanded to convert their lives to live a more deep, and close observance of the Christian faith; a faith which calls us to ACTION.  We are called to turn again to Christ, to the church, to HIS eternal truth; not to stand on street corners and ensure those who choose to follow their own desires and inclinations are comforted in their refusal to repent.  The words used in administering the ashes themselves are a literal call for action: Remember o man that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.   Likewise also: Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

If we remove from this simple sacramental act the very necessity of repentance which it invokes, then we cheapen it and make it no more than a simple act which has no meaning, no purpose, and no effect on our lives.  But then again, I believe that is probably what so-called "modern" churchmen may be aiming for in the long run.  

Let us all heed the Lenten call to prayer and repentance; that we may encounter Christ more deeply in this life.  Faith requires so little of our time compared to all other investors, yet it is the one thing we all make excuses as to why we cannot give it what it asks.  

Seriously folks, get your Ashes in church this Lent.  

Here endeth the Lesson.  




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