Ash Wednesday 2009

Today we begin Lent, but an event from a few days ago is still on my mind.

The last few days, the parish mourned the loss of a long time clergy friend, Fr. Charles Whipple. Fr. Whipple died last Friday and his funeral was on Monday. There are a number of traditions used in the church. Some are more well known, like the administering of ashes at the beginning of Lent, others are not as well known. One of these lesser known traditions is that a priest is normally buried in a set of vestments. The vesting of the priest’s body, is traditionally done by other priests. Over the weekend, Fr. Smith and I went to the funeral home and vested Fr. Whipple.

It was one of the most moving things I have ever been a part of. Putting clothes that are just like those that I wear every day – clothes that symbolize not only the living work of the church, but also eternal and everlasting life offered in Jesus death and resurrection. It was among the most real things I’ve ever done. He was dead, but he was being dressed for the wedding Feast of the Lamb of God.

I don’t think that situation is all that different from Ash Wednesday. We put ashes on our heads, not - like the hypocrites described in today’s Gospel - not because we are showing off piety. Ashes are administered with the words: Remember you are dust… and to dust you shall return. It is a stark reminder that life is fragile, that our bodies are mortal, and that all of us will die. It is also a stark reminder that though we are mortal, though we will die, yet in Christ we are offered eternal life. In that way, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, but more importantly, it points directly toward Easter when we will celebrate the Resurrection and fact that the love of God conquers everything, even death, even dust.

We don’t just offer ashes at the masses. Ashes are also offered in the chapels and in the church throughout the day. I like ashing in the chapels. There are two types of people who get ashes: both are wonderful. The first are those who come solemnly up to the rail or into the chapel and receive ashes in silence.

The second are those who walk into the chapel and smile and say “Good Morning!”. “Good Morning, I say. And then I add as I trace a cross of ash on the person’s forehead. “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” “Thanks Father! Have a great day!” “You’re welcome, have a great Lent!”

The two response illustrate the solemnity and also the joy of what we do today and what we look forward to at Easter. They are often born out in differing Lenten devotions. Many people fast and abstain from things during Lent, so that the Joy of Easter will be both a spiritual feast for the soul and also physical feast for the body! Others, instead of fasting and giving things up, will often take up something: an act of charity, or a particular devotion, in an effort to anticipate and live out the joy of the new life in Christ. Both types of devotions are great.

If you haven’t come up with a Lenten Devotion, I’d like to suggest one. Look for someone who hasn’t yet experienced they joy of easer, someone who mourns as we all do at a funeral, but who hasn’t yet seen the joy of the resurrection, someone who might not have been in church for many years, or someone who hasn’t ever been to church. Use Lent as a time to show and tell that person about the joy of Jesus and what his resurrection means for all of us. Because today we are reminded not only of our mortality, we are reminded what our faith in God really means.