I read the Gospel for Ash Wednesday again and I’m still haunted by my constant Ash Wednesday question. When the Gospel (Mt. 6:1-6, 16-18) reports that Jesus said to his disciples, “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them…” why do we walk around most of Ash Wednesday with ashes on our foreheads?
The instruction is clear. “Do not let your left hand know what your right is doing.” When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.” When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to be fasting.” In the face of this pointed instruction I march out the church door with ashes smeared all over my forehead.
It is too easy to dismiss this instruction with a glib, “but it’s Ash Wednesday and the ashes help remind me of my own mortality and utter dependence on God.” Am I like those hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so others may see me?
I find it to easy to dismiss much if not most of the hard Gospel teaching in the same way. The instructions, to turn the other cheek, sell all you have and follow me, and forgive seventy times seven times can’t mean me. Although, today I see myself like the man who turned and walked away because he was rich. I am equally rich, attached to my possessions, my ideas, and my beliefs. As today’s Gospel says, to save my life I must lose it. (Lk 9:22-25)
Lent is reinforcing the Gospel’s call to a life of detachment. I can see now, this isn’t going to be easy.
“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” (Ps 40:5a)