I'm not Catholic, so my observations of Ash Wednesday are from the perspective of an outsider. Here in New Orleans, it's nothing at all to see everybody walking around with ashes smeared on their foreheads, as the vast majority of our population is Catholic. I try not to be judgmental, but knowing so many Catholics personally, I find myself very confused about the whole tradition of Ash Wednesday. I know that to many, it has deep meaning, and the symbolism isn't lost on them, but to so many others, it seems like an obligation that is just done because that's what's expected of them.
In New Orleans, Ash Wednesday immediately follows Mardi Gras Day. So, in effect, everybody goes out and gets absolutely knock-down, drag-out drunk on Tuesday, and then asks for forgiveness by getting ashes on their heads on Wednesday. Now, I always thought the whole point of the ashes was a symbol of repentance. How is it repenting if you know you're going to do the same thing next year?
Also, who sets the standard for the types of things you're supposed to give up for Lent? I was chatting online with my sister-in-law this morning, when she was telling me that she gave up chocolate for Lent. Chocolate? Really? That's it? I always thought the idea of giving up something for Lent was that it should really be a sacrifice, something that will make a difference in your life, your spiritual life more specifically. I'm sorry I sound so mean/flippant, but it all just seems so silly to me. The idea sounds nice, but it appears to have been made so meaningless and ritualistic.
I won't even go into my "not eating meat isn't in the Bible" spiel. I could be here all day!
Seriously though, tell me what you guys think of this. I would love to hear both Catholic and non-Catholic points of view.
5 comments:
I'm not Catholic either but I look forward to Ash Wednesday and Lent
You may be interested in joining us on facebook as we “give up something for Lent to help Haiti”!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=468308345460
I'm not Catholic either. I understand what Ash Wednesday is about and Lent. That being said, I think it is observed as a yearly ritual rather than a way to build their relationship with Christ.
Yetserday was my second time getting ashes. I was introduced to it when I started going to a Lutheran church with Bill.
Before then, I really didn't understand it either. To me, I enjoy and look forward to it. It's not because I wait for Lent to repent or that I wait for Easter to thank Christ for his suffering or that I wait for Christmas to be thankful for his birth.
I think the "seasons" of the Catholic church (and among others who choose to oberve them) are meant to allow us to observe them in worship together, as one body.
There's something nice about having a certain time of year to focus on one aspect of Christ and to share that with others who are doing the same. Lent is a time for reflection and remembering the consequences of sin. Of course, people participate for different reasons -- just like people go to church, take communion, pray, fast all for different reasons.
I really love your interpretation of it, Laura. Thanks for sharing. =)
i don't know much about ash wednesday but I am so excited because i just found out i get to visit new orleans in the near future. i instantly thought of you and wanted to say if you have any great tips throw them my way!!
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