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And, if so, will you leave the ashes on or wipe them off?
I've heard arguments on both sides, and both are legitimate in my opinion. I tend to wipe them off because I'm influenced by this verse in today's lectionary from Matthew 6:
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
However, I also respect those who leave them on. What say you?
And, if so, will you leave the ashes on or wipe them off?
I've heard arguments on both sides, and both are legitimate in my opinion. I tend to wipe them off because I'm influenced by this verse in today's lectionary from Matthew 6:
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
However, I also respect those who leave them on. What say you?
I plan to go tonight. We have a 7 pm. I have not been to an Ash Wednesday service in a few years, but Sunday I went to the church service where they burned last year's palms afterward (outdoors, in a bbq grill in front of the church. Saw cars slowing down and looking, maybe they thought we were having an early Superbowl party lol).
I will be going home afterward, so not worried about what's on my head.
Back when I worked full time in lower Manhattan, I would attend the noontime Ash Wednesday service at Trinity Wall Street. The chour sang Allegri's Misere mei, Deus (Psalm 51) during the imposition of ashes, and it would give an otherworldly vibe to the experience.
I washed off the ashes when I got back to the office, otherwise, I felt as if I was trying to bring attention to myself. It was personal to me, not for display.
I still take the 14 minutes to listen to it every year, courtesy of YouTube.
I won't be going until this evening, so I won't be out and about with the ashes on.
Whenever I do attend morning liturgies I leave the ashes on. It's definitely penitential for me because I don't like to stand out, but it definitely draws a lot of attention here in the Bible belt. People often stop me to tell me that I have something on my forehead.
I won't be going until this evening, so I won't be out and about with the ashes on.
Whenever I do attend morning liturgies I leave the ashes on. It's definitely penitential for me because I don't like to stand out, but it definitely draws a lot of attention here in the Bible belt. People often stop me to tell me that I have something on my forehead.
I won't be going until this evening, so I won't be out and about with the ashes on.
Whenever I do attend morning liturgies I leave the ashes on. It's definitely penitential for me because I don't like to stand out, but it definitely draws a lot of attention here in the Bible belt. People often stop me to tell me that I have something on my forehead.
Wow...today sure is different than years past.
When I was growing up in NYC...people would ask you where your ashes were on Ash Wednesday.
I grew up in an Irish/Italian neighborhood and if you didn't get your ashes people stared and questioned you.
All the girls would pin their bangs back so the ashes would not rub off.
When I was growing up in NYC...people would ask you where your ashes were on Ash Wednesday.
I grew up in an Irish/Italian neighborhood and if you didn't get your ashes people stared and questioned you.
All the girls would pin their bangs back so the ashes would not rub off.
I don't think today is different from years past so much as small town Alabama ain't exactly New York City, lol.
I won't be going until this evening, so I won't be out and about with the ashes on.
Whenever I do attend morning liturgies I leave the ashes on. It's definitely penitential for me because I don't like to stand out, but it definitely draws a lot of attention here in the Bible belt. People often stop me to tell me that I have something on my forehead.
I have two afternoon video conferences. I've already forewarned people that, depending on my mood, I might have a smudge on my face.
I've heard arguments on both sides, and both are legitimate in my opinion. I tend to wipe them off because I'm influenced by this verse in today's lectionary from Matthew 6:
16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
However, I also respect those who leave them on. What say you?
I agree with you 100% for the same reason.
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