Ash Wednesday, California Style
Traditionally, Ash Wednesday was the day I'd call up my writing partner, who grew up in a virtually exclusive Jewish neighborhood, and remind him not to go around wiping the smudge off of crew members' foreheads.
Today, as I walked my dogs, I met up with one of the clergy from our local Episcopalian Parish giving ashes and blessings to people leaving our local Starbucks. Kind of a drive thru Ash Wednesday. He was warm and outgoing and explained the Jewish history behind Ash Wednesday...that of the practice of throwing ashes over ones' self when mourning. Being the big ecumenical mush I am (I love symbolism and pageantry) I went for it. He made a six pointed star on my head.
I know it's silly and hokie and some of you may even find it sacrilegious, but it's what I love most about our country, our openness to all religions. And now I wear these ashes in some odd solidarity with the Christians fighting for their lives in Egypt.
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Jun '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
I love it, but people might think you went to an elderly priest with hand tremors, and that's why it doesn't look like a cross.
Jun '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
I agree. As a Mormon, we don't use the cross as a specific symbol in our churches, but I nonetheless always feel good when I pass a church with a cross. Also, if I see a person in a store (particularly teen-agers) and notice a cross necklace, it gives me a warm feeling that this is someone who believes in something.
Also, for anyone who knows Salt Lake City, if you drive three blocks east of the famous Mormon temple, you come to the Cathedral of the Madeleine, a gorgeous catholic cathedral that was recently renovated. Next door is a beautiful Presbyterian Church. This says a lot about American culture (and, in case you don't know, Utah has lots of Mormons, but lots of other great people of other faiths).
We should all pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East where they are being killed or "ethnically cleansed."
Edited on Mar 9, 2011 at 9:06amJun '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
tabula rasa: I agree. As a Mormon, we don't use the cross as a specific symbol in our churches, but I nonetheless always feel good when I pass a church with a cross. Also, if I see a person in a store (particularly teen-agers) and notice a cross necklace, it gives me a warm feeling that this is someone who believes in something.
Also, for anyone who knows Salt Lake City, if you drive three blocks east of the famous Mormon temple, you come to the Cathedral of the Madeleine, a gorgeous catholic church that was recently renovated. Next door is a beautiful Presbyterian Church. This says a lot about American culture (and, in case you don't know, Utah has lots of Mormons, but lots of other great people of other faiths).....
They probably came for the music performances. I don't know why, but the Mormons produce some of the best choral, orchestral, and even instrumental jazz, as anybody anywhere. Big thumbs up for the music. That's what gets me to watch the BYU cable channel. The devotionals, not so much.
Dec '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
Denise, for you and me, the ashes don't count unless we also rend our garments and put on sackcloth.
Dec '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
I think it's lovely! As a catholic in a very secular industry I have to put up with ignorant comments almost every day. Yesterday a gay staff member joked that he "gave up being an ignorant bigot" for Lent, assuming eveyone else in the room was just as enlightened.
So much fun today watching people who suffer from one of the truly last acceptable mindless prejuidices squirm.
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
You go, girl!
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
Did all the "enlightened" people laugh?! Oh, so witty.
May '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
I had a similar experience PConn.
Great story, Denise. Half the time, the ashes end up looking like a big smudge anyway, so I hope your friends don't think you've converted. It reminds me of when my sister complained that her friends thought we were Jewish because my family included a big Star of David among our Christmas decorations.
Feb '11
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
OK. Then give up pork for lent.
Jul '10
Re: Ash Wednesday, California Style
Denise, I am not a Catholic (yet).
But when I lived in notoriously secular Manhattan, it always pleased me to see Catholics - particularly young ones - conspicuously display their faith on Ash Wednesday.
To me, that simple daub of ash signified more than all the city's lavish decorative displays at Christmas.