Ash Wednesday

This is from the newsletter of the Episcopal church I usually attend at Ash Wednesday and Easter. I'm leaving out the stuff I disagree with or that has no bearing on the day itself, but I thought most of it was pretty cool.

"...It is Ash Wednesday, February 9. It is the day when you see some black smudges on people's heads out in public places. I wish we saw more, but we don't. But lent does not belong to the world, it belongs to the Church, [and] always has.

"What does that mark mean to us? What does it mean to you? For me, it is a reminder of out mortality; that's what the Prayer Book says. It is a reminder of what we don't like about getting older and it also reminds us to give up being super human. In fact, you could consider that Lent is all about learning once again how to be ourselves and not God. That's the message of Good Friday and the season prepares us to meet the Cross and celebrate the Easter victory.

"But there's more. It is also a reminder that we are in a relationship.

"...we are reminded of [this new relationship] with a dry, dusty signing of ashes. 'Remember that dust you are, and to dust you shall return.'

"Yes, it says we all die and return to the earth. But what it doesn't say is that we are in God's hands, too. We are reminded of the possibilities and limitations on our being human. But we are also reminded of the grace conferred in our human status and stature. We are reminded that we are created of God to be human, something we forget by our constant striving to be more than human.

"I am profoundly moved by Ash Wednesday. I think it takes great courage to come forward to the rail to have ashes imposed on the forehead. I am deeply impressed by people's acknowledgment of mortality, and their honoring it also. Because's that's what we do. It is the single day in the church year when we come together to commonly say to ourselves, to one another, and to God, I am but dust and you are my God.

"If we can't say that, then we can't forgive one another, forgive ourselves, or allow God to forgive us.

"Former President Jimmy Carter tells this story. He had applied to enter a nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman Rickover, who then interviewed him for the position. At the end of the interview Rickover asked, 'How did you stand in your class at the Naval Academy?'

"Carter answered, 'Sir, I stood 59 in a class of 820,' waiting to be congratulated.

"Instead, Rickover asked in reply, 'Did you do your best?'

"Carter began to reply that he had, but then recalled that he could have learned more. 'No, sir, I didn't always do my best.'

"Rickover looked at Carter for a long time in silence and then asked finally - a question that Carter never forgot - nor was he able to answer - 'Why not?'

"So choose a discipline. Take something on like a good book to read or give up something. Choose a discipline that will remind you to be centered, not in YOU, but in God.

"Let our be our intention that this Lenten season is for our community a truly best time in which we grow more deeply in our faith, acknowledging our humanity. If that is not our intention, then 'Why not?'"

Peace,
Jack