Ashes to Ashes

Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place
I rejoice that things are as they are

                ~T.S. Eliot, "Ash Wednesday"

I am a Catholic by birth  though I have long since lapsed, which is to say that I retain all of the guilt and none of the faith.

But there's something about Lent and Easter that appeals to me.  I like the ideas of renewal and rebirth, sacrifice and hope.  I never go to get my ashes on Ash Wednesday, but I always think about it, and this year I thought about bringing The Boy.  Also, I thought maybe he could be talked into giving up night feedings for Lent.  As if.

Comments

[Abby]

I'm sacrificing chocolate. I know that sounds glib, but this week of all weeks (ahem) I really need it.

It's the least I can do. We don't do ashes in the church - I'm not very good at the whole every Sunday thing - but there are readings on Wednesday nights, which really put things in perspective for me.

[laura]

Good luck with that. But nice thoughts about Lent. Maybe next year??

[Moxie]

Hee.

I didn't go get my Lutheran ashes this year, and I've been thinking about what to do with Lent. Lutherans don't give things up just to give something up. Instead, we try to focus on our faith or on some area of our lives that we want to improve. I'm thinking my area might be discipline on a daily basis. Less time getting sucked into distractions and more time staying organized and focused.

[Summer]

Don't worry, I got enough ashes for both of us. The young priest was so enthusiastic, he not only made my whole forehead black, but got ashes into my eyes and all over my sweater.

And my kid really did give up night nursing for Lent. The night of Fat Tuesday 2004 was the first night he didn't nurse. Of course, he was 14 months old, so my story isn't all that encouraging.

[Moxie]

Summer, did you see that Stephen Colbert did his show last night with his ashes on? Hee.

[Monica]

I tried to get my ashes, but Madam threw a serious fit at the entrance of the church and could not be coaxed in or calmed down. Unlike in Chicago, these folks expected me to sit through a whole mass to get the ashes, and with my little screamer, that wasn't going to happen.

I'm pretty lapsed, but for some reason it bugs me that I missed getting them. I get them every year.