Matthew 6:16-18 and Ash Wednesday

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Davis_tylerj

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How should one interpret Ash Wednesday in light of Matthew 6:16-18 with regards to not show off fasting? It seems as though one should wash the ash off after the service to prevent showing off during the rest of the day. Any thoughts?
Blessings,

Tyler
 
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The Ash Wednesday reminder of the priest placing ashes on the foreheads of the congregation as they process up to receive them is a reminder of the holy season of Lent whereby we hopefully will make a better effort to improve our prayer lives, reflect on the Lord’s Passion more, and letting go of over eating, also to be mindful of those who have little and to share with them. The ashes will be washed off that evening.

I interpret that passage to mean that we are not to “brag” about what we are giving up, or try to look like we are suffering a lot during the 40 day season of Lent. That would be seeking attention.

And we shouldn’t judge others who may talk about how they are trying to grow spiritually during Lent and may discuss some things about how they are going about it.
 
Davis_tylerj said:
How should one interpret Ash Wednesday in light of Matthew 6:16-18 with regards to not show off fasting? It seems as though one should wash the ash off after the service to prevent showing off during the rest of the day. Any thoughts?
Blessings,

Tyler
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If ashes were proof of fasting you would be correct, but they are not. They are a reminder of who we are, where we came from, and that through God’s grace we can be something better if we choose to.

Peace!!!
 
Davis_tylerj said:
How should one interpret Ash Wednesday in light of Matthew 6:16-18 with regards to not show off fasting? It seems as though one should wash the ash off after the service to prevent showing off during the rest of the day. Any thoughts?
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I always rub the ashes off before leaving church .
 
I will miss ash Wednesday mass again this year due to work.

Do you think the priest can hold some back for me?
 
“Oh, I would love to have that steak, but, alas, I cannot because I am FASTING”.

“I see you are having another piece of pie, why are you not FASTING!”

Making a big deal about your fasting, complaining about it, being overly proud of it, lording it over others, etc.
 
My friend, a priest advises thusly:

If you really want to wear your ashes all day, you should likely wipe them off because you are making them a prideful thing.

If you really do not want to wear your ashes all day, you should likely wear them because your pride is keeping you from wearing them.
 
I see it like the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. If a Roman Catholic is walking around with ashes on their head so everyone can see what a good Catholic they are, kind of like the Pharisee in the parable, not good. But if one is more like the Publican and showing humility, I don’t see it as a big deal. Just a though from a Byz Catholic.

Peace,
ZP
 
In the past group repentance was more common, see for example Nineveh in the book of Jonah. Keeping ashes on only seems like a “boast” because practicing Catholics are a minority where you live. But if everyone was wearing them, it wouldn’t be
 
Rob2 said:
I always rub the ashes off before leaving church .
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I wait until I get into my car, but same thing.

When I was in the monastery all those decades ago, I was told by the Sister in charge of the novitiate that we were to go back to our cells immediately after mass and wash the ashes off. Our sackcloth and ashes were meant to be hidden in our souls, not worn on our foreheads.

I’ve stuck with that ever since.
 
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