Whose Ashes Are They?

When I was in college (and still an unhappy but deeply committed evangelical), one of my favorite professors was such a devoted Catholic that she attended early morning mass each day before school. On Ash Wednesday, she would teach her classes with a dark cross smudged across her forehead. I was impressed by her commitment, although I only vaguely understood Ash Wednesday to be some kind of crazy, mystical papist mumbo jumbo.

In the almost two decades since, I found spiritual contentment in a liturgical faith and have worn that smudgy cross many times myself. This year, however, was the first time I have followed in my professor's footsteps and shown up to work with a cross already on my forehead.

I fielded many strange looks and interesting questions today, but one conversation with a group of sixth graders won the prize for Strangest of the Strange. It went something like this:

Student A: "What is on your head?"
Me: "Ashes."
Student A: "Is it a tattoo?"
Me: "No. It's ashes."
Student A: "Why?"
Me: "It's Ash Wednesday."
Student A: "So...whose ashes are they?"
Me: "They aren't a person's ashes! They are ashes from palm fronds."
Student B: "So...what's it for?"
Me: "It's a religious holiday."
Student B: " So, are they Jesus' ashes?"
Me: "No! They are not human ashes. They are from a plant!"
Student C: "Are you sure? My grandpa was cremated. Are you sure they aren't..."
Me: "Oh my goodness! No! I do not have your grandpa's ashes on my forehead."

As much as this conversation Cracks. Me. Up. it also reminds me that I once knew as much about Ash Wednesday as those kids (okay, maybe I at least knew the ashes weren't human!) and there are still many Christian denominations who have practices about which I know very little.

The season of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday, has become very precious to me. It is deeply healing and reflective. It embodies what I think Christianity is about - the continual journal to be more like the God of love who created us. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels this way because even many people who are not part of a liturgical tradition are starting to practice Ash Wednesday - and Lent - either on their own or with a body of believers.

If you are interested in what Lent is and how to commit to this season, here is an excellent video from Ascension.