Wash Your Face

Have you ever noticed that the gospel reading for Ash Wednesday has Jesus telling us to "wash our faces"? Many people have said they struggle with receiving ashes because it seems to contradict the point of the gospel. The problem with that is that Jesus was not referring to the ceremony of ashes, but just to plain old ordinary dirt. This is because the imposition of ashes did not come about until years later; but there was a practice in the first century of Jews not bathing when they fasted so that others would think they were really suffering and see them as more holy than others.

Thus, Jesus is not saying "wash off the ashes", but rather, "don't go fishing for spiritual compliments". The twist, of course, is that the ashes are anything but a status symbol to be proud of having. For anyone to parade with ashes so that others will pat them on the back is a sign of a deeply prideful and impenitent heart. Yes, we can do this, but it is contrary to what Jesus is telling us. The point of our Lord's admonition, and of the ashes as well, is that we are supposed to realize how weak we are and how much we need God's grace every day.

Prideful people forget about their spiritual needs. Nominal Catholics are only concerned with looking good and forget what was said when the ashes were placed on their foreheads: "Remember that thou art dust, and unto dust shalt thou return". In other words: "you're gonna die; we're all gonna die; maybe today; are you ready to meet the Judge of all?" So go to Mass today. Receive the ashes. Remember, however what those ashes say to you and to everyone that sees them (even if they do not know it). "Get right with the Lord now; you do not know when your time in this life will be over."