Ash Wednesday
"Even now, says the LORD,
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God."
Today typically is the day several people will stop me on campus and ask if I just came from an art class. Why? Because I have a smudge on my forehead.
I take Ash Wednesday with a grain of salt. I love the concept of Lent. A preparation. A detox. A time to reconnect after falling off the wagon as it were. But I'm typically a private person of faith. Many know I'm Catholic, but I don't broadcast it. I walk the fine line of hiding my light under the bushel basket.
I don't like the outward sign of Ash Wednesday. I do not like the broadcasting...the appearance that I'm calling attention for attention's sake. But it's humbling. A reminder. To myself and others.
And I will not be giving up anything for lent. Chocolate, caffeine, what have you. Such abstinence I've found to be solely superficial. And I find it defeats the purpose to give up something and then piss and moan to others when you can't participate in certain things because of your observance...calling attention. Hardly a preparation of heart.
This year will be a year of meditation. A prayer, devotion, probably the rosary in the morning. Prayer before meals. And an honest attempt to thank those with menial but or so important tasks...the bus driver, the custodian, etc.
return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
Rend your hearts, not your garments,
and return to the LORD, your God."
Today typically is the day several people will stop me on campus and ask if I just came from an art class. Why? Because I have a smudge on my forehead.
I take Ash Wednesday with a grain of salt. I love the concept of Lent. A preparation. A detox. A time to reconnect after falling off the wagon as it were. But I'm typically a private person of faith. Many know I'm Catholic, but I don't broadcast it. I walk the fine line of hiding my light under the bushel basket.
I don't like the outward sign of Ash Wednesday. I do not like the broadcasting...the appearance that I'm calling attention for attention's sake. But it's humbling. A reminder. To myself and others.
And I will not be giving up anything for lent. Chocolate, caffeine, what have you. Such abstinence I've found to be solely superficial. And I find it defeats the purpose to give up something and then piss and moan to others when you can't participate in certain things because of your observance...calling attention. Hardly a preparation of heart.
This year will be a year of meditation. A prayer, devotion, probably the rosary in the morning. Prayer before meals. And an honest attempt to thank those with menial but or so important tasks...the bus driver, the custodian, etc.
Labels: faith
posted by Unknown at
10:39 AM
2 Comments:
I read an essay about a Jewish man who wore a prayer shawl every day. He was concerned that having the fringe showing was more about showing off his faith than being pious, so he tucked it in "just to be on the safe side." I agree that faith is a private thing, but you carry it with you always.
I agree with you that lent can be superficial. People should practice their faith because they want to, not because they feel they have to... because they've been told to for so many years.
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