An Ash Wednesday Debate?
I just returned home from Ash Wednesday matins at my Lutheran congregation. The children of our day school were also in attendance. We read from Jonah about how the people of Ninevah repented, fasted for 40 days, put on sackcloth and sat in ashes. God saw their repentance and how they turned away from evil and showed the city mercy.
During the sermon, our pastor told us that the ashes that are imposed on our foreheads this day are not a mark of piety so much as our mortality. They are a call to repent and, as they are imposed in the shape of a cross, also a hopeful reminder of our salvation.
As I sat there, I was thinking of tonight's debate and what I would do if I were to be asked to do something public on Ash Wednesday, an important Christian day that includes such an ugly, if hopeful, marking on my forehead.
The only thing that ever came close was that the American Enterprise Institute once held its annual formal dinner on Ash Wednesday. I went wearing a ball gown and ashes. It seemed inappropriate but I wasn't sure which part of it was inappropriate.
In any case, I'm curious what you all think. If you were to be asked to do something public on a day when your sinfulness, mortality and faith were on such shocking display, what would you do? Would you wash it off? Would you keep it on? Would you worry about how it comes off?
And while I'm sure that many people are curious whether Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich will show up with ashes, or one or the other, I'm also curious if we'll see any media so arrayed.
At the very least, I wonder if the media thought through whether a debate should be held on this day.
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Mar '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Fascinating question. The hazy memory of Catholic teaching from my childhood tells me that the ashes were to be worn all day (present day Catholics help me out on that one). I'm just a Christian without the denominational extras now, but I'm inclined to think the person of conviction adheres to that conviction. The rules should apply and it doesn't matter whether I think they are good rules or not.
Edited on February 22, 2012 at 4:04pmAug '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
You know . . . this is a serious thread, and so it's probably completely inappropriate for me to mention that at first glance I thought your opening sentence was: "I just returned home from Ash Wednesday martinis at my Lutheran congregation."
(Sigh.) We only use grape juice.
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
There's a great congregation I visit in Baltimore before Orioles games -- it's right near the ball park there -- called Martini Lutheran. I love that name, whether you think of gin and vermouth or the Blessed Martin Luther after whom it's named.
One time I went straight from picking someone up at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., to Martini Lutheran in Baltimore. I got a huge kick out of that.
Edited on February 22, 2012 at 4:02pmRe: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
We are reaching the point when the words, "...for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," will be controversial, sin being a relative assessment of course. I can easily see the political consultants counseling the candidates to remove the mark. Ultimately, we all answer to a higher authority than even political consultants, and so I would personally rather the candidates remain steadfast to their faith.
Mar '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
DrewInWisconsin: You know . . . this is a serious thread, and so it's probably completely inappropriate for me to mention that at first glance I thought your opening sentence was:"I just returned home from Ash Wednesdaymartinis at my Lutheran congregation."
(Sigh.) We only use grape juice. · 0 minutes ago
There's one for us non-Catholics. Should the "fruit of the vine" be wine, or is grape juice acceptable? Must the bread be unleavened or is leavened bread okey dokey? Sorry for the minor highjacking, Mollie
Now stop distracting the ADHD, Drew!
Edited on February 22, 2012 at 4:09pmFeb '12
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
The mark of ashes on our foreheads is a small remnant of the sackcloth and ashes originating with the Jews in a public display of repentance, asking God to forgive the individual's or the nation's sins. This practice continued for many centuries in Christianity. In keeping with the day, a quiet time of reflection and fasting is appropriate, so a ball is not exactly in the spirit of mortification. I must go to work in an office. I am upset that the priest gave me such a small mark, since I am too self-conscious about what non-Christians think. I could use some mortification of my ego, but I can be conscious today of the way I relate to others with humility and care. I was thinking of the debates as well. I doubt if Rick and Newt will have their ashes on, but let's see. Media people wearing ashes? I really doubt it.
Dec '10
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Ash Wednesday is one of the few days when our faith is irrefutably on display. In at time when genuine faith seems more and more rare, I think having the courage to wear it in public matters. Not wear it like a badge of honor or a mark of shame, but in the way our actions and words should bare it out on all the other days.
On a personal note, I have a short presentation to give to a group of 20+ journalism students this morning, and the temptation to wash off the ashes is present. But it made this verse come to mind
It came to mind, not out of guilt, but from conviction. If I believe the Bible is true, then I need a faith made of more than just thoughts and convenient words. It seems all to easy to pigeon hole our faith into the depths of our private life, as many in the secular world want.
Edited on February 22, 2012 at 4:11pmJun '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
There's a great congregation I visit in Baltimore before Orioles games -- it's right near the ball park there -- called Martini Lutheran. I love that name, whether you think of gin and vermouth or the Blessed Martin Luther after whom it's named.
One time I went straight from picking someone up at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., to Martini Lutheran in Baltimore. I got a huge kick out of that. · 5 minutes ago
Edited 2 minutes ago
I totally want to be the pastor at Martini, so I'll be within walking distance of Camden yards, but even more so I can start up a church-sponsored martini bar. Hey, if the megachurches can have coffee bars, why not Martinis at Martini? ;)
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
During the sermon, our pastor told us that the ashes that are imposed on our foreheads this day are not a mark of piety so much as our mortality. They are a call to repent and, as they are imposed in the shape of a cross, also a hopeful reminder of our salvation.
I just want to point out that I had a very bad typo in my original post. I had originally written "morality" instead of "mortality" here, which gives a dramatically different meaning to the sermon. My apologies.
Mar '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
I can see the media attempting to publicly "out pious" the candidates by wearing their ashes.
Man, that was cynical. But I can't bring myself to delete it.
Jun '10
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
I think having to apply TV makeup is an acceptable reason to remove the smudge. It's not sin to remove it. Especially if you need to prepare your face for something else that's very important.
Jun '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
In any case, I'm curious what you all think. If you were to be asked to do something public on a day when your sinfulness, mortality and faith were on such shocking display, what would you do? Would you wash it off? Would you keep it on? Would you worry about how it comes off?
And while I'm sure that many people are curious whether Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich will show up with ashes, or one or the other, I'm also curious if we'll see any media so arrayed.
The Gospel for the day makes a note of not fasting in such a way as to be seen and rewarded by men (Mt. 6.16-21). In this case, however, it is a corporate sign of penance. I don't think there's a right or wrong about keeping them on or removing them, because the thing itself is adiaphora. Whatever you do, you'll be criticized for it - and maybe that's right, because whatever you do will be tainted by sinful hubris. And that might just be the point, to demonstrate that you are a sinner to the core.
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
That's a really good point. I imagine that the TV "mask" will mean that no one wears their ashes through tonight's debate.
Oct '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
I'm not sure how the candidates would wear their ashes on stage when they have to go through make-up to be presentable on TV.
As to whether "the media" should have scheduled it for Ash Wednesday, I think that they would have been willing to move it to Thursday if either Newt or Santorum had asked them to.
Dec '10
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Gus Marvinson: I can see the media attempting to publicly "out pious" the candidates by wearing their ashes.
Man, that was cynical. But I can't bring myself to delete it. · 3 minutes ago
In the unending game of gotcha journalism, I wouldn't put it past them. Then follow it up with a greeting, wishing a contemplative Ash Wednesday before proceeding to extensive questions on faith and politics. Prod them into boldness on behalf of their faith, then cut their legs out from under them when someone admits to a belief the moderators believe they can sell as extreme.
Sorry to double down on the cynicism. It's been too long since I've really felt like cheering in this race. Thankfully someone better is ultimately in charge of it all.
Edited on February 22, 2012 at 4:19pmMar '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
I hadn't even considered the make-up thing. I can see the make-up artist trying to work around the ash mark, accidentally altering it, then attempting to touch it up to make it look natural.
I'm over-thinking this, aren't I?
Jun '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
It's harder than it looks - but I always feel bad when I botch it. And women's foreheads with makeup requires slightly different technique. And sinful pride even enters the priest's/pastor's heart in thinking, "That one was good!" Dear God, why can't I even put the ashes on my people without sinning? Sin taints and corrupts everything.
Aug '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
It would be very interesting to see both Newt and Rick wearing ashes at the debate.
I suspect it would cause minor confusion in the media (those weird Christians!).
However, it would be a very prominent visual showing solidarity between Newt and Rick at a debate where they are expected to gang up on Mitt. It would definitely make those two stand out -- and appear to stand together, as well as a visual separation from Mitt.
But, more worrying, if either Rick or Newt did something regrettable during the debates, there's a danger of appearing hypocritical. Yes, this is always a concern, but moreso when one is making such a public declaration of one's faith. Nevertheless, I think they should not be afraid to do it.
The thing is, in my youth, seeing ashes on foreheads on Ash Wednesday was common, and everyone instantly understood why that person was walking around with a dark smear on the forehead.
It seems very uncommon these days. And even among the church-going folk, not all congregations do it. Our Lutheran Brethren congregation is having a service this evening, but ashes are not a part of it.
Edited on February 22, 2012 at 7:09pmAug '11
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
That's a really good point. I imagine that the TV "mask" will mean that no one wears their ashes through tonight's debate. · 13 minutes ago
Yep. I hadn't thought of that, but you're probably right, and we won't see any on the candidates. Huh. Now I'm feeling let down about it.
May '10
Re: An Ash Wednesday Debate?
I hadn't thought of that, but it sort of goes with what I was about to say, anyway. The ashes never seem to remain on my forehead by the end of the day. Whether it is due to absently touching my forehead throughout the day or that the dry powder just doesn't stay on dry skin for long, I'm not sure. But, by this evening it may be a moot point.