So today begins my “Holy in the Ordinary” search for Lent. The first finding came easily today. I spent time this morning (8-8:30am) and again this evening (7:30-8:00) in Ash Wednesday services. In both we offered the Imposition of Ashes. This is where the Ashes from last Palm Sunday’s palms are mixed with olive oil and applied to the worshiper’s forehead in the sign of the cross and “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust” is repeated (or some variation thereof) to remind us each that we come from the dust and to dust we shall return. It’s a somber service that sets the whole tone for Lent. It’s also one of my favorite days, because we begin a new season and we must look our lives in the eye and check in with ourselves and God our Creator.
As I was in the Sanctuary this morning during the service, I noticed how I had already gotten lots of the black palm ash under my fingernails, and it was only 8am. These ashes are so ordinary, but yet their meaning is wholy other–they remind us that God is so much bigger than us, and we worship a God who created the whole universe. So tonight, even after the ashes washed off my forehead, and I’ve scrubbed my hands well, I still have the familiar dark smudge under my nails. I imagine it’ll take a few days for it to wear off, and that’s fine by me. I don’t want to rush too quickly away from Ash Wednesday. Plus, Lent is a 40 day journey–a marathon if you will, not a 100-yard dash. Some dirt under the nails to start off the journey won’t hurt a bit. It may just help remind me over and over what this journey’s all about! =)
Living On Emmaus Ave 