By Roxane B. Salonen
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers,
let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” ~ Matthew 16:24
“There’s dirt on your forehead.” The barista’s words at the drive-thru surprised me. “It’s Ash Wednesday,” I replied. He looked at me sideways and quietly handed me my drink.
I’d wrongly assumed most in our world recognized Lenten ashes on the foreheads of Catholics and others observing this practice. No more.
Another time, at an after-hours office party on Ash Wednesday, a co-worker, staring at my forehead, finally got up the nerve to tell me I hadn’t washed my face that morning.
On this day, I’ve also been accused of ignoring Matthew 6:17-18, in which Jesus tells his followers that, when fasting, they should do so in secret.
These challenges have made the weight of wearing the cross more real.
A call to be watchful
In his Ash Wednesday homily in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted how “Every day, but particularly in Lent, Christians must face a struggle, like the one Christ underwent in the desert of Judea, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil,” noting that this battle “involves the whole of the person and demands attentive and constant watchfulness.”
The imposition of ashes, he said, is “not merely ritualistic, but something very deep that touches our hearts,” reminding us that “external gestures must always be matched by a sincere heart and consistent behavior.”
The fight of our lives
Sometimes, our hearts are misunderstood. We may feel bare and exposed, as did Jesus on the cross. Remember, we’re in the fight of our lives, but no more alone than Jesus, whose Father was always nearby, loving, listening, and providing everything needed to face the foe.
I’ve returned to my earlier way of approaching the ashen cross, delighting in wearing it for the sake of Christ, but duly challenged by it, too, as I seek to align my exterior and interior actions and my heart with that of our Lord’s.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me learn this Lent how to wear and carry the cross with more purpose and with the confidence that I am never alone in this; that you are always leading the charge.
Call to Action
What one change can you make this Lent to align the interior with the exterior? Consider perhaps refraining from gossip, biting your tongue during an argument, or adding a new prayer to your daily routine. Try choosing something that can endure beyond Lent.
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Thank you for this article! We, as Catholics, need to wear our cross ashes proudly, even though others may look at us as odd. We know that we will return to dust and we are doing this for God, not others.
I am going to try to get to daily Mass during Lent, and giving up wine (my favorite adult beverage, not WINE) 😀
Happy Lent!
Thank you Roxane for nailing it once again! I have often felt like the mark of the Cross was perceived as so odd by those I came in contact with who do not understand our faith. It has been sometimes a source of humility, but more often grace in my life. This world needs to have more people who lead with their head ( forehead in this case) while nurturing with their heart.
Thanks you Gwen and Rita! I appreciate you sharing what you’ll be giving up Gwen. It is such a rich time of year. God is asking us to pause and notice him more. What a privilege. Not always easy but a wonderful challenge.
And Rita, such a beautiful response. I have come to love seeing my fellow Christians and Catholics about the world on this day. What a beautiful thing that we can wear our crosses in defense of our Lord, Love and Life!
Our Lord is so Wonderful! What a simple, beautiful way we can share our love of God and that we are proud to Love Him, and proud of our Catholic Faith. Simply by not being afraid to show it, through ashes on our head or through making the sign of the cross in a restaurant when we pray before meals.
Thank you Roxanne for your insight.
Patti, you are such a beautiful example of living the faith day by day, and trusting in God’s abundant love and mercy. I am so grateful for you! Thanks for taking the time to comment. XOXO Roxane