Ash Wednesday: Feel so weird keeping ashes on, but feel guilty washing them off!

[Anonymous]

I think my subject heading says it all. What do others do? I hate the "in-your-face" (literally ) aspect of keeping them on, but at the same time, I also feel that I shouldn't be ashamed of it, and that I shouldn't care about the stares. Any thoughts appreciated. (BTW, if it matters, which I think it doesn't, I'm Espiscopalian--so not a hard-core Catholic. )

[Anonymous]

Can you go late in the day?

[Anonymous]

Well, FWIW, I'm Jewish, and I think if it's important to you to keep them on, keep them on. Ash Wednesday means something to you, so hold your head high.

[Anonymous]

PP here. I don't mean to stare. I look because I forget about Ash Wednesday until I figure it out by seeing folks ovserving it, as it isn't part of my religious tradition. I bet this is the case with a lot of folks. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. It's certainly not my intention, and I admire folks who literally wear their traditions proudly.

[Anonymous]

Isn't today Thursday?

[Anonymous]

People around our office leave their ashes on, and no one seems bothered by it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't today Thursday?

duh

[Anonymous]

Ash Wednsday is the 9th, so it does not matter that today is Thursday

[Anonymous]

I commute via Metro and it never fails that people will say, "You have something on your forehead." I usually just reply, "It is Ash Wednesday." It is about me and my religion.

[Anonymous]

I never worry about it, and in fact am proud to be Catholic, despite all the bashing here!

but a PP had a good idea, see if you can find a late afternoon/evening Mass

[Anonymous]

You'll get a few looks early in the day from people who just haven't realized it's Ash Wednesday yet -- not because they're judging. Don't be ashamed. Be proud.

And, no, it does not matter that you're Episcopalian rather than hard-core Catholic. That's kind of offensive to those of us who are Catholic (who would otherwise sympathize with and support you here).

[Anonymous]

I actually remember seeing quite a few people with ashes on their forehead on Ash Wednesday last year. Having Catholic family members, I knew exactly what it meant and didn't think anything of it.

[Anonymous]

It's part of the act of humility - reflecting and remembering the sacrifice and humility that Jesus underwent on the journey to Calvary.

Take heart that you won't be the only one.

And who knows, maybe you'll inspire a stranger to get to church and get ashes too!!

[Anonymous]

I like it when people keep it on. It allows me to mark out all the Christians.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
And who knows, maybe you'll inspire a stranger to get to church and get ashes too!!

I don't think so.