Why not wipe off ashes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter switalabe
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

switalabe

Guest
Hi CAF Friends,

Why don’t we wipe off the ashes after leaving church on Ash Wednesday? It seems to me that Jesus is kind of into the whole “covert devotion” thing, i.e. we’re supposed to go to our inner room to pray, don’t make a fuss about our Lenten sacrifices by standing on street corners, give w/o anyone knowing.

On top of this, I feel kind of embarrassed walking around work with ashes on my forehead.

Thanks,
Ben
 
switalabe said:
Hi CAF Friends,

Why don’t we wipe off the ashes after leaving church on Ash Wednesday? It seems to me that Jesus is kind of into the whole “covert devotion” thing, i.e. we’re supposed to go to our inner room to pray, don’t make a fuss about our Lenten sacrifices by standing on street corners, give w/o anyone knowing.

On top of this, I feel kind of embarrassed walking around work with ashes on my forehead.

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...
Because ashes are our way of showing that we came from dirt and will return to dirt, and there is someone up there much greater then us that we acknowledge here on this earth.

Its sad you are embarrassed showing you are a Christian.
 
They are a penance.

They are a great way to evangelize, too, with humor.

Psst, you have a dirty spot on your face…

Glad that you mentioned it…

🙂
 
🙂

Offer up your embarrassment to the Lord for something or someone.

You shouldn’t be embarrassed but it is a small mortification so just offer it.
 
switalabe said:
Hi CAF Friends,

Why don’t we wipe off the ashes after leaving church on Ash Wednesday? It seems to me that Jesus is kind of into the whole “covert devotion” thing, i.e. we’re supposed to go to our inner room to pray, don’t make a fuss about our Lenten sacrifices by standing on street corners, give w/o anyone knowing.

On top of this, I feel kind of embarrassed walking around work with ashes on my forehead.

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...
So far as I know there is no rule on how long one needs to keep the ashes on. If one chooses to wash them off right after mass there is no problem with that.

You are quite right about Jesus and the covert devotion thing…in fact it was part of the readings today. But there is more to it than that.

Note the reasons Jesus was saying to not do something…It is in order to get noticed and to be praised by others. It is this that we need to avoid.

Peace
James
 
switalabe said:
Hi CAF Friends,

Why don’t we wipe off the ashes after leaving church on Ash Wednesday? It seems to me that Jesus is kind of into the whole “covert devotion” thing, i.e. we’re supposed to go to our inner room to pray, don’t make a fuss about our Lenten sacrifices by standing on street corners, give w/o anyone knowing.

On top of this, I feel kind of embarrassed walking around work with ashes on my forehead.

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...
The Gospel message about going into an inner room to pray is for the people who attempt to make it seem like they pray, etc, but really do it only for the attention they get.

For example: if you wore the ashes all day feeling like you were better than everyone else and have a “I’m holier than you” attitude," then you should wipe them off. This was what some some of the Pharisees were guilty of, and this is what Christ was referring to.

However, if you are embarrassed or self conscious of your ashes, as you mentioned, then more reason to wear them, as the act is more of a penance for you.

May God Bless us and grant us wisdom and understanding. Amen.
 
I think some people fail to realize what you’re concerned with.
I, too, feel a bit silly walking around with ashes on my forehead. On one hand, I am proud to be a Catholic-Christian and I like people to know that I am one, but on the other, we aren’t supposed to be advertising it. People should know we are Christians by our behaviors, by our attitudes, by our willingness to please God and bring glory in all we do.

A lot of people assume Catholics wear the ashes on their foreheads to showboat and say, “look at me! I’m a Catholic! I’m better than you. Look at the sacrifices I am making!”… And in a way, I don’t blame them. I would probably assume the same thing if I weren’t Catholic. It certainly comes across as a way to bring attention to oneself.

This is my own opinion so you can take it for what it’s worth:

If you feel ashamed to wear the ashes because then people will know you are a Christian then all the more reason for you to have them remain on your forehead.

If you feel yourself becoming a bit arrogant while donning the ashes, wash them off immediately.

If you’re confused about what to do, just try your best to pretend they are not there. Or go to mass after work. A lot of Catholics really do forget about the ash throughout the day… It’s only the onlookers who think we’re constantly thinking about it.

Hope that makes sense. If anything, pray about it. Pray for God to give you the guidance on what to do or not. Pray that God will allow you recognize the meaning of the ashes and to go throughout your day as He would like. You can also talk to your priest about it. I’m sure he has heard this before and can probably offer some sound advice.
 
switalabe said:
Hi CAF Friends,

Why don’t we wipe off the ashes after leaving church on Ash Wednesday? It seems to me that Jesus is kind of into the whole “covert devotion” thing, i.e. we’re supposed to go to our inner room to pray, don’t make a fuss about our Lenten sacrifices by standing on street corners, give w/o anyone knowing.

On top of this, I feel kind of embarrassed walking around work with ashes on my forehead.

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...
First, Happy Lent! Happy in a sense that Our Lord saved us by His death and resurrection. Rejoice that He loved you so much.

Ashes aren’t just a collection of burnt stuff. They are made with palms blessed on Palm Sunday (to welcome Christ) and holy water. Washing them off intentionally would be like a catecumen wiping off the chrism oil right after being confirmed. The ash is considered a sacramental; something made by man to be used to worship God. Like a crucifix.

Yes, we are to be devout for the sake of our faith but wearing the ashes today (the only day we’re given ashes in the form of a cross on our foreheads) shows the world we are Catholic. Would you hide your crucifix in your pocket?

Be glad that you belong to the church established by Jesus Christ Himself! Have a great Lent!👍
 
Thanks all. Thanks especially to Rinnie for the gentle admonishment.

I already missed the early Masses today so I’ll have to go after my work is over.

Thanks for the mortification idea as it’s embarrassing to me.
 
Wiping them off is no sin. But it would be good to have the courage to leave them on.
 
This is my first time receiving ashes. I was amused as two coworkers–one a cradle Catholic and one who had no idea why my forehead was dirty–debated what the smudge looked like, like they’re reading tea leaves or an inkblot. (They finally agreed upon a bird. I said, “Hey, it’s the Holy Spirit! I’m okay with that!” 😉 ) A few others said, “Oh! You went to church! Did you pray for me?” It’s been interesting to see if/how people respond. And I haven’t heard a single negative remark.

I have a headache this afternoon, and I’ve managed to rub most of them away. Without realizing it, I’ve gone to rub my forehead a few times because of the headache, felt the ashy surface, and said “oops!”
 
I asked a priest about this once, I had never known for sure, either. He had told me that wiping them off after mass was permissible – generally whether or not to leave them and why/why not was up to someone’s own discretion.

This year the ashes were barely visible on the forehead, either way (shrug)
 
SeekerWillie said:
This is my first time receiving ashes. I was amused as two coworkers–one a cradle Catholic and one who had no idea why my forehead was dirty–debated what the smudge looked like, like they’re reading tea leaves or an inkblot. (They finally agreed upon a bird. I said, “Hey, it’s the Holy Spirit! I’m okay with that!” 😉 ) A few others said, “Oh! You went to church! Did you pray for me?” It’s been interesting to see if/how people respond. And I haven’t heard a single negative remark.

I have a headache this afternoon, and I’ve managed to rub most of them away. Without realizing it, I’ve gone to rub my forehead a few times because of the headache, felt the ashy surface, and said “oops!”
Click to expand...
I’ve met several inactive Catholics and those who have no faith. When I offer to say a prayer WITH them, they always seem grateful - almost relieved! Pray for them as much as you can. God Bless you and may the Holy Spirit grace you through your RCIA journey. :signofcross:
 
I leave them on until pieces start falling into my eyes. It happens every year!
 
PolishK said:
I think some people fail to realize what you’re concerned with.
I, too, feel a bit silly walking around with ashes on my forehead. On one hand, I am proud to be a Catholic-Christian and I like people to know that I am one, but on the other, we aren’t supposed to be advertising it. People should know we are Christians by our behaviors, by our attitudes, by our willingness to please God and bring glory in all we do.

A lot of people assume Catholics wear the ashes on their foreheads to showboat and say, “look at me! I’m a Catholic! I’m better than you. Look at the sacrifices I am making!”… And in a way, I don’t blame them. I would probably assume the same thing if I weren’t Catholic. It certainly comes across as a way to bring attention to oneself.
Click to expand...
I agree.
When I was younger, I frequently attended services on Ash Wednesday. Actually, now that I think of it, when I was a child we would go to receive ashes but there was no Mass. Just go in to the church, say a prayer, and get in line…I miss that…

Anyway, as an adult I moved to a new city and realized a couple things: First, that a lot of Protestants also have services and distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday. Second, the Catholics tended to wear their ashes as a mark of distinction.

So I don’t do it anymore.

I heard an explanation on The Catholic Channel this afternoon about the Bible passage and wearing ashes. There wasn’t a very clear answer, other than that we aren’t being hypocrites but we are showing our contrition for our sins.
 
PolishK said:
If you feel ashamed to wear the ashes because then people will know you are a Christian then all the more reason for you to have them remain on your forehead.

If you feel yourself becoming a bit arrogant while donning the ashes, wash them off immediately.
Click to expand...
I like the way you’re going about thinking this through. 🙂
 
Does anybody else do this; look at the lines and seeing who the heavy handed priest is to see if your going to get “plastered” by your priest? 😃

If I still have ashes before bed, I’ll wipe them off to keep from getting the pillow case dirty.
 
I think these discussions which occur every year are very narrow, in view of the fact that not all cultures even put the ashes on the forehead and have them visible. Don’t the Poles put them on the top of the head, for instance?

I think there’s a danger of getting hung-up on the visibility or not. It’s plainly quite all right with the universal church either way
 
paperwight66 said:
I think these discussions which occur every year are very narrow, in view of the fact that not all cultures even put the ashes on the forehead and have them visible. Don’t the Poles put them on the top of the head, for instance?

I think there’s a danger of getting hung-up on the visibility or not. It’s plainly quite all right with the universal church either way
Click to expand...
If I’m not mistaken, it is not a requirement to receive ashes at all. It’s a sacramental. There’s no pressure. People just want to know. You know, Catholic Answers. 😉
 
KCT said:
I leave them on until pieces start falling into my eyes. It happens every year!
Click to expand...
Same here. Or I’ll absentmindedly rub my forehead and then the ashes fall into my eyes.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top