Ashes to Ashes

When my friend asked me to go to and Ash Wednesday service with her, I jumped at the chance. My friend is Catholic and I had never been to an actual service in a Catholic Church. I'd only sat through a couple funerals, which apparently were Vatican I because they were mostly in Latin. I had been to several Ash Wednesday services in my life, but mostly at Episcopal or Methodist Churches. Always looking for a new adventure.


On the way, my friend and I discussed what we were giving up for Lent, a Christian season of fasting and prayer I think of as a "Ramadan light". She had not decided anything yet. I had a clear choice, fast food. I had discussed this intent with both my mother and sisters just the night before that. Usually when it comes to Lent, the thing I am giving up blasts out like a cannon in front of me. This year was no different.


I walked into the cavernous sanctuary and the place was incredibly packed. I never remember the day being this popular. Nice to think about all the others who are sacrificing along with me. I observed the service and saw how close it was to the ones I'd already experienced and how close the words spoke were to the intentions I'd heard many times during Ramadan. The priest came around to put ashes on foreheads and before I could react, he put them on my head as well. He spoke the words of Mark 1:15 as he put the ashes on, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." I immediately took in these words and thought of the part of the Qur'an which it talks about the Gospel and how it is a guide. I smiled knowing my own secret in the room in which I stood and how much I hope I would live these words as I had the ashes put on my head.

As the service went on, I was able to contemplate my own beliefs, internalize prayers as others were spoke and connect with the reason why others, even though they have other practices, were part of a very similar journey. I also thought of my grandfather, who was a Catholic, and felt like I was holding his hand through a shared experience.


The ashes are taken from the palms of the previous year's Palm Sunday. The palms represent the high honor given to Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. Wearing those ashes help me honor a man I considered to be a fabulous teacher. Here, I was able to learn through a journey he had taken.


Sacrifice and remembrance are two things I bring with me through Lent. I celebrate it as a way to connect to my friends and family, but also because, like Ramadan, it helps me remember those who have no choice but to sacrifice a lot.