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

[Anonymous]

"Even if it would come up, like "what are you doing on Sunday?"

I tell my co-workers who ask that I will be worshipping some idols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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).

I can understand why she wouldn't want to be confused with a "hard-core Catholic." I don't want people to think I support bigotry, pedophilia, homophobia, and misogyny either.

Yes, all of us who are Catholic support bigotry, pedophilia, homophobia and misogyny. Poster, you are so intelligent and clever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!!

Read Matthew 10:32 and profit thereby.

[Anonymous]

I am reminded of my friend in College, raised without religion, who thought that the smudges that suddenly appeared on foreheads around the time we were electing student representatives had something to do with the elections.

I kid you not. And she was not blonde either!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of my friend in College, raised without religion, who thought that the smudges that suddenly appeared on foreheads around the time we were electing student representatives had something to do with the elections.

I kid you not. And she was not blonde either!

Thanks- now I don't feel so bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am reminded of my friend in College, raised without religion, who thought that the smudges that suddenly appeared on foreheads around the time we were electing student representatives had something to do with the elections.

I kid you not. And she was not blonde either!

A good reminder of the Freakonomics point that correlation does not equal causation!

And to the OP, I'm an Episcopalian too and I don't wash mine off if I go to a morning or mid-day service. I'm always surprised by how many people I see downtown with ashes on Ash Wednesday. (And if I don't have mine when I arrive to the office, my Jewish colleague usually asks me, "Where's your schmutz?" )

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I became an Episcopalian in college and a Catholic in my 30s. The priest at our Episcopalian church told us to take the ashes off based on the scripture that says you should pray in private, not in public like the Pharisees do. My Catholic priest told me it was fine to leave them on, and I like the idea of reminding others what day it is, so I usually leave them on. So I think there is a rationale for either approach, and you should do whatever you are comfortable doing

Not OP. That's interesting. I didn't think about that. Thanks for sharing.

Op, if you like having it on, so be it. Answer all curious questions with kindness. For those who don't understand or agree with your faith, wish them well and let them be. I'm Christian and I definitely don't believe in hitting anyone over the head with the Bible till they yield. I don't like people who use the Word of God as a weapon either. I'm learning that there are lots of "Closet Christians" out there and I'm starting to think there's something wrong with that, even though I'm one of them.

[Anonymous]

I think we didn't used to be closet Christians. The media has driven us into the closet by only reporting on the outrageous and the extremists. Who wants to be associated with that if you are moderate? That said, I will wear my ashes. It is a sign of the season and community. As a Catholic, lately I get depressed by the focus by the hierarchy on abortion, gay rights and immigration. As if there isn't anything else that is important about being Catholic these days. Who are these people? I didn't grow up with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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).

I can understand why she wouldn't want to be confused with a "hard-core Catholic." I don't want people to think I support bigotry, pedophilia, homophobia, and misogyny either.

Yes, all of us who are Catholic support bigotry, pedophilia, homophobia and misogyny. Poster, you are so intelligent and clever.

:shrug: well, your church supports those things. i can understand someone not wanting their coworkers to think they are opposed to gay rights, equality for women, and are for protecting pedophiles from the law. that might not be what you as a Catholic are all about, but that is what your church is about. oh, and should i also mention the bishops in your church who encourage people to vote for republicans? many people find many of these things objectionable and do not want to be associated with them. including my husband, an ex-catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we didn't used to be closet Christians. The media has driven us into the closet by only reporting on the outrageous and the extremists. Who wants to be associated with that if you are moderate? That said, I will wear my ashes. It is a sign of the season and community. As a Catholic, lately I get depressed by the focus by the hierarchy on abortion, gay rights and immigration. As if there isn't anything else that is important about being Catholic these days. Who are these people? I didn't grow up with this.

I agree! It's so annoying watching these broadcasts because I know that it's a distortion of what it really means to be a Christian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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).

I can understand why she wouldn't want to be confused with a "hard-core Catholic." I don't want people to think I support bigotry, pedophilia, homophobia, and misogyny either.

Yes, all of us who are Catholic support bigotry, pedophilia, homophobia and misogyny. Poster, you are so intelligent and clever.

:shrug: well, your church supports those things. i can understand someone not wanting their coworkers to think they are opposed to gay rights, equality for women, and are for protecting pedophiles from the law. that might not be what you as a Catholic are all about, but that is what your church is about. oh, and should i also mention the bishops in your church who encourage people to vote for republicans? many people find many of these things objectionable and do not want to be associated with them. including my husband, an ex-catholic.

So, wait, you are lambasting what you view as a patriarchical church that discriminates against women, yet you mention your husband to help validate your opinions. Sounds like you have plenty of your own anger issues.

[Anonymous]

That person on the elevator was send down from God.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I don't think so.

Disagree - I totally forgot about Ash Wed. last year until I saw someone on the elevator at work with ashes. Good thing there was a noon-time service I could go to near my work! So, yes, it does inspire/remind people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

:shrug: well, your church supports those things. i can understand someone not wanting their coworkers to think they are opposed to gay rights, equality for women, and are for protecting pedophiles from the law. that might not be what you as a Catholic are all about, but that is what your church is about. oh, and should i also mention the bishops in your church who encourage people to vote for republicans? many people find many of these things objectionable and do not want to be associated with them. including my husband, an ex-catholic.

Clearly you are not sophisticated enough to see shades of ideas and theologies and differences among believers. You like black-and-white. You like to think some things are unambiguously good, and other things are unambiguously bad. You are simple-minded.

[Anonymous]

:shrug: well, your church supports those things. i can understand someone not wanting their coworkers to think they are opposed to gay rights, equality for women, and are for protecting pedophiles from the law. that might not be what you as a Catholic are all about, but that is what your church is about. oh, and should i also mention the bishops in your church who encourage people to vote for republicans? many people find many of these things objectionable and do not want to be associated with them. including my husband, an ex-catholic.

That is certainly not what my Church "is about". If you are not a member, then you do not know. Even if you have a husband who is an ex-member. My husband was raised in New Jersey, that does not make me an expert on New Jersey.

[Anonymous]

The catholic hater is a troll, a sad little person who needs to be mad at somebody in order to deal with her own issues.

But the three responses to her, so far, have been spot-on, and even a bit funny, given the sad topic of her bigotry.