Beloved,

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.” It is from Matthew 6, which we read annually on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. I find reading this passage awkward every year because I go out publicly with the cross on my forehead, smeared in ashes made from last year’s palm branches. It seems somewhat contradictory to Jesus’ message. Still, many Christians observe this tradition as you notice it everywhere, even at a bar on Ash Wednesday. Whenever I see the cross on a stranger’s forehead in public, I glance at it and feel tribal. Occasionally, we exchange eye contact and brief smiles, signifying that we are on the same team. Thanks to this tradition over the years, it has sparked many conversations with strangers – some positive and some emotionally charged. This supposed expression of humility seems to have become a symbol of our Christian pride somewhere along the line, much like flags and brand logos representing various communities. While not all Christians participate in this tradition, even these non-Ash-Wednesday types express similar pride for being truer Christians by defying the tradition.

   Regardless, we are creatures that seek and express meaningful identities through association. We screen each other’s identities through various signals and quickly judge who our real friends are or aren’t. I’ve made friends and lost some because of it. Looking back, I wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed to connect with someone deeply because of my quick identity-driven, hard-set prejudice. 

As I stumble with such a disconnect between Matthew 6 and our Ash Wednesday ritual and reflect on earlier missed opportunities, Lent humbles me to self-examine my righteous religiosity and faith. It makes me wonder what Jesus would think of us today. Will he be proud of us for our righteous deeds, or will he shake his head at us for being too good to be part of the broken world? Recalling Jesus’ countless interactions with the apostle Peter, I can’t help thinking it is the latter. Faith in Jesus is never about pride; it is not about elevating and separating us from brokenness. On the contrary, it is all about our foundation of love that throws us into the wilderness so we can boldly bring God’s kingdom on earth by loving one another as Christ commanded us. Practicing such love calls for forgiveness, compassion, and hope. Lent is an excellent season to wrestle with this concept. 

Ash Wednesday begins with a reminder that we are dust, and to dust, we shall return. It teaches us of humility that we are no better than anybody. However righteous, we are equally as sinful as the rest. Furthermore, the ashes that mark the cross on our forehead can’t be a better symbol to remind us of the limited time we share on earth, witnessing how quickly fresh green palm branches dry out and become ashes. Throughout the penitential season, we journey through the Passion of Jesus Christ to re-educate us about his forgiveness and redemption. It teaches us of our obligation to forgive and reconcile each other so that we can set our minds on love. Humility in Lent points to self-denial and takes us away from denial of others like these. It sets our focus on loving as to be loved, accepting as to be accepted, and forgiving as to be forgiven. The cross smeared with ashes on our forehead is the beginning of such humility we pledge to God in Jesus’ name. It’s not a fashion statement. We must try living it like we mean it. 

I look forward to walking the spiritual journey of faith with you for the next 40 days. Be sure to check out all the Lenten formation opportunities. Let’s act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God… together. 

Love in Christ, 

Fr. Andrew