Ash Wednesday was March 9 this year. For most Christian denominations this marks the beginning of Lent, which happens 46 days before Easter.
Ash Wednesday can take place as early as February 5 on a Leap year or as late as March 10 because it is dependent on when the date of Easter Sunday occurs.
This day gets its name from the ritual of placing ashes in the shape of the cross on the forehead of believers as a sign of repentance before God.
The ashes are made from burned palms and mixed with special sacred oil although some churches use ordinary oil or holy water. It’s customary to keep the ashes on the forehead until they wear off. During the church service sometimes there is a confessional rite for all participants and ashes are administered to anyone who desires them.
As a Roman Catholic this day means fasting, abstinence from meat and penitence. The Anglican Book of Common Prayer also states that this day is one for fasting. For other churches fasting is optional with the emphasis on repentance.
For years when Lent came around I would give up something I really enjoyed. One year I gave up bread. Forty days without bread turned out to be one of the most difficult things I have ever done, as I seem to include some form of bread at every meal.
I felt utterly deprived and haven’t foregone bread for that length of time since.
In later years I’ve realized that the truest form of fasting includes giving up judgment of self and others. Stopping narrow-minded thinking and action is very beneficial for body and spirit and way more difficult than giving up favorite foods. My church’s Sunday Missal states to “find that quiet private space to be alone with your thoughts and alone with God. It could be going for a walk, folding laundry, working on a hobby or commuting to work. Take time for yourself to nurture your relationship with God. Make healthy choices and support local producers. Take a short pause from favorite foods. Take an objective look at your words and actions. Consider fasting from criticism, impatience and inflexibility. Thoughtful self-denial cleanses both the body and the spirit. Give alms with a generous spirit and share what you have with those who have less and share often. Know that acts of justice and compassion bless both the giver and recipient.”
Poet Robert Herrick, who died in 1674, wrote. “Is this a Fast to keep The Larder lean, And clean from fat of veals and sheep? Is it to fast an hour , Or show, A down- cast look and sour? Is it to fast from strife, And old debate, And hate; To show a heart grief- rent; To starve thy sin, Not bin, And that’s to keep thy Lent. Interesting poem, we tend to think we’re more superior in understanding human behaviour in this enlightened 21th Century with all our sophisticated technology but this 17th Century poet has said it all before showing that no matter how advanced civilization seems to become human hearts and feelings change very little.
I went downtown this past Saturday and thought I was in a different place. Due to avalanche concerns it seemed that all the skiiers had opted to check out our unique shops. The weather was clear and sunny and quite warm. It was so nice to see groups of people walking on sidewalks and filling up shops. I started my shopping by checking out the Beanpod. The sofas were filled with people, “coffee addict or chocoholic?” was the question. I purchased the “Fernie bar and grab bag” and walked the few steps to the Ghostrider store to buy a new pair of sandals and share my chocolate with my friend Judith. I figure if I have a beautiful pair of red sandals ready to be worn the weather will co-operate and we’ll have spring next week when it’s officially here. Crossing the street I entered the Grande Fromage shop filled to capacity with dozens of people milling about sampling specialty cheeses with artisans from Creston giving out information on how their cheese is made. I then walked down the street enjoying the sunshine, totally like a tourist in my own town and it felt really good, to end the shopping I went down to the Loaf Bakery to purchase three different kinds of breads to go with the three different types of delicious cheeses I had bought and while waiting for the bread to be sliced I shared the Beanpod chocolate with the two workers who agreed it was pretty yummy.
That afternoon I think I might have actually followed some of the advice given about observing Lent. Okay, stop laughing, three breads, three cheeses, chocolates and new shoes doesn’t sound much like Lenten deprivation but look at it from a different point of view, I was supporting my community and that should count for something.
