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Reply to "Should children "give up" something for Lent? Discussion and ideas"

AshWednesdayAshesGirlMinister

Some people have used Jesus' words in Matthew 6;16-17 to reject the practice of applying ashes on Ash Wednesday. But such simple signs of penitence were not what Jesus was addressing. In Matthew 6:16-17, Jesus is addressing the OSTENTATIOUS display of religion.

lent-fasting

In his time, there were religious fanatics who fasted to the point of emaciation or wanted to appear as if they did. They not only didn't eat, but they also wore ashes on their head, sackcloth on their bodies, and didn't groom. They "put on" a sad and gloomy face, they "disfigured" or "contorted" themselves. He's not preaching against signs of modest penitence, he's preaching against extreme and inhumane practices that are clearly designed to make you look "more faithful" than others.

Humility seems to be the guide here for the disposition of ashes, not getting rid of meaningful moments and reminders. So it's our job to make rituals like the application of ashes personally meaningful, not ostentatious. A moment and reminder of what Jesus did for us, not what we "did for him."

  • So for example, you might make sure to only use a small amount of ash and create a small mark. No big forehead crosses, for example.
  • Or you could put the ashes on the back of your hand or wrist so that only YOU see it and remember it -- if you are concerned with forehead ashes being too "look at me!"



Isaiah58-6

Fasting, or "going without" is a great way to remember our faith and commitment to God. But sometimes people use such rituals with the hope that they are "showing God" how faithful they are. And THAT is what misses the point.

Read the full chapter of Isaiah 58, from which the above verse was taken. It includes doing things to provide shelter to the "wanderers" (immigrants, for example) and clothing to those in need.

  • Going without food and donating what you don't eat to a food bank is a better idea.
  • Going without a form of entertainment or purchase so that you can have money to give to a social Justice organization would meet Isaiah's call to "break every yoke."
  • Providing assistance to a local shelter mission (some ask for things like new bedding, towels, etc)

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  • AshWednesdayAshesGirlMinister
Last edited by Neil MacQueen
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