There are many holidays in the Christian calendar, and depending on which denomination’s calendar you are looking at, some may have more than others. Today is officially Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent that will culminate in one of the biggest traditions of the Christian faith, Easter. On campus, Marsh Chapel began preparations for the season with ash making. Using Palm Sunday palms from the previous year, these are crumpled up and burned in a bowl. Once the ashes have cooled, a few pinches are moved into a smaller bowl with a few drops of olive oil and voila! Your ashes are ready to go on the foreheads of the faithful.
But what’s the significance of ashes? What is exactly is Lent other than the reason for Mardi Gras?
Lent is the 40 (or so) days leading up to Good Friday and Easter. This period is set aside for Christians to abstain from something they enjoy or take up something positive for their lives in order to focus on their relationship with God. There’s lots of prayer, sure, since not everyone survives giving up ice cream so easily. Lent is also a period of reflection and repentance. This is why a lot of people give up harmful habits like smoking or take up a positive habit like better organizing one’s day for more family time. It all depends on the individual and their choices. Reflection is perhaps one of the most important staples of Lent, as there should definitely be some soul searching going on during such a serious holiday.
The ashes themselves are not so difficult to understand. They commemorate the beginning of Lent and mark those who decide to follow the tradition. It is a personal decision made public for the day as anyone who’s gotten ashes on their foreheads know, there are usually stares that follow. The ashes are imposed by a priest or pastor with the verse, “Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” —Genesis 3:19. This is not Christmas cheer nor the bright colors of Easter.
This is holiday of mourning, self denial, reflection, and repentance. Excited, yet?
Oh, that’s right-Mardi Gras. Also known as Fat Tuesday, this is the day you are supposed to indulge in whatever you are giving up. Historically known as the day for a lot of food and sex, if you didn’t make time to indulge in your chosen abstinence item yesterday, you missed out. You’ll have to wait till white shoes and spring are back to spoil yourself with lots of television.
Personally, I am from a Methodist background and never celebrated Lent before coming to BU. It just was not present back home. Yet, I found the notion of sacrificing something you enjoyed as a promise to God interesting enough to try it. Last year, I gave up soda, my only source of caffeine in life. It was a test, but I kept to it as best I could. After all, it was a promise between me and the man upstairs. This year, I upped the ante with something more personal and challenging than giving up on menu items. As hard as the next weeks are going to be for me, I just know I have to survive on why is it that this is so important for me to go through. It’s a test of mind over matter, devotion over cheating.
This is a personal God and you time. It’s not about decorating the front lawn or gift shopping. The Lent season is a time to figure out what is important in your life and how can you be better at what you do. Whether it’s helping a friend or volunteering, where do you find meaning? How can you better serve your community not just as a Christian, but as a fellow human being? It’s pretty serious thinking that leads to Easter’s pretty white dresses and pastel colored eggs.
For a nice, simple breakdown of the holiday, check out the Wikipedia’s article on Lent. They even outline the different ways Ash Wednesday can be celebrated in different churches.
If you are interested in getting ashes or just curious about the holiday, check out Marsh Chapel today at the following times:
8:30-8:50AM – Ecumenical Morning Prayer
11:15AM-12PM – School of Theology Worship
12:10PM – Roman Catholic Mass
4:00PM – Roman Catholic Mass
5:00PM – Ecumenical Evening Prayer with Communion (in Robinson Chapel)
6:00PM – Interdenominational Ash Wednesday Service with the Marsh Chapel Choir
8:00PM – Roman Catholic Mass
10:00PM – Roman Catholic Mass
Have any Ash Wednesday stories/traditions to share? What are you giving up?
One Comment on ““From Dust to Dust”: Ash Wednesday Preperations at Marsh Chapel”