Comments on: Why do we wear ashes on Ash Wednesday?

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:43:02 +0000

Daniel,

Thanks for the questions.

First, there is no need to take off work to celebrate Ash Wednesday.

Second, that’s not really the proper use of the term “imprimatur.”

Third, I suppose you don’t “need” to see a guy at work wearing ashes, but it’s probably good for you and a lot of people. It helps remind us when we look in the mirror or when we see others wearing ashes that we are mortal. I, for one, enjoy seeing others expressing their faith in a non-violent way that doesn’t impact or bother anyone else and that actually builds up the community instead of tearing it down.

Fourth, does this mean that he is “shoving his religion” in your face? No. Of course not.

Fifth, if seeing somebody wearing a cross bothers you so much, I would suspect there are some other personal issues at the root of it that may be worth exploring.

Peace be with you.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 04:13:07 +0000

Why don’t Catholics take off from work on Ash Wednesday? Did I really need to see a guy at work who had an imprimatur of a cross smacked right across his nose and forehead? Isn’t that shoving his religion in my face?

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:17:51 +0000

Debby, thanks for your great comments! And welcome! I hope you’ll come back and continue to share your faith here. God bless you and have a blessed Lent.

By: Debby

Debby — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:12:01 +0000

Dear Matthew,
Thank you so much for your enlightening message on wearing ashes. I am not Catholic, but am definitely a believer in our Lord Jesus, having received Him as my very own Savior many years ago. Anyway, I went to my church last night and received ashes for the first time, and I must admit, it was a humbling act of faith, as your message stated it should be. I can see how it represents contrition and wanting to start anew with Jesus and to ponder His death on the cross and resurrection. I guess, too, I wanted to comment on Pamela’s words, where she says we are no longer sinners after we believe. Maybe I know where she is coming from, as I used to belong to a ministry that basically said that, and it always troubled me. I am no longer in that ministry. Instead, now, I believe that since receiving Christ into my life, my sins are now forgiven, through the shed blood of Jesus for me … BUT, I still sin, and the Lord surely lets me know when I have “missed the mark,” and I can speak to Him about it. If it were true that we never sin anymore after believing in Jesus, why does the Bible tell us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”? Also, I think of that passage in scripture when Jesus spoke about the tax collector and the Pharisee’s method of praying. The Pharisee went on to say to himself that he thanked God that he didn’t sin in this way and that way (and so on and so on), but that the tax collector couldn’t even look up to heaven, but beat his breast, and just said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus said that the tax collector went home justified. Anyway, I appreciated your message and insightful answers. Thank you, Matthew!

By: Matthew Warner

Matthew Warner — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:42:31 +0000

"Yup I’m saying we are no longer sinners (after we Believe )" Pamela - you realize that is not a Christian teaching, right? And it certainly isn't taught in the Bible. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Also, fasting is entirely biblical. I don't have to take the taco bell challenge on youtube to know that. I can just read the Bible. Here are a bunch of scripture references on fasting. Do we believe that fasting itself saves us? Of course not. So I'm not sure where you are going with the whole "works" thing. We are called to do God's work. Are we not? That's work. Such work also sanctifies us, which is necessary, but not exactly the same thing as "salvation" in the sense that you would probably define it. Anyway, you seem to be trying to make a point, but not sure what it is. Here's another post you may find helpful. It has some other links at the bottom you might like as well. God bless you!

By: ana

ana — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:02:19 +0000

no le hacemos dano a nadie para que nos ataquen siempre por eso muchos de los que eran de los nuestros nos senalan que somos los anticristos y que el papa es el 666 y no es sierto. es gente mal imformada que no sabe lo que esta diciendo por eso muchas que eran delos nuestros son los que salieron de nuestra santa iglesia solo hay una sola iglesia la que fundo jesucristo que es la catolica la mas antigua y que tiene 2 mil anos aunque le duela al diablo y al mundo y los poderes del infierno nola podran vercer.es verdad que hay personas que desprestigian a nuestra santa iglesia.pero nosotros no podemos juzgar a nuestros hermanos separados porque tambien vamos a tener a alguien que nos va a juzgar

By: ana

ana — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:46:59 +0000

en realidad no mas hacen comentarios sin saber que es la ceniza y que significado tiene soy cristiana catolica,los invito aque en esta cuaresma el punto mas importante.es la reflexion y la penitencia. el ayuno y ser mas humildes y no desprestigiandonos siempre los catolicos estamos en primera fila .bueno que tienen contra nosotros los fieles catolicos
las cenizas usadas para la cruz que recibimos en la frente son obtenidas al quemar las palmas usadas en el domingo de ramos del ano anterior.en este dia se inicia un tiempo espiritual partircularmente para todo cristianoque quiera prepararse dignamentepara vivir el misterio pascual es decir la pasion y muerte y resurrecion de jesucristo.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:44:24 +0000

Yup I’m saying we are no longer sinners (after we Believe ) . Admittedly we mess up but God no longer consider this sin. Christ redeemed all sin. As far as fasting goes ,(if your really interested look up John Crowders , taco bell challenge on youtube to understand what the bible says) it’s considered a work. You don’t need to “do” anything to get God’s favor – he gives it freely. No preparation needed

By: Danica

Danica — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:20:50 +0000

I saw this mark on a bank teller’s forehead today and wanted to ask her what it was. I could tell the mark was intentional and likely religious, but I didn’t know. I didn’t have a chance to find out either since she was busy with the same customer the entire time I was in the branch. I’m 30 years old and even have several Catholics in my family, though I am not one, and have never seen these Ash Wednesday markings until today. You should share with others what the markings are, as I’m certain 99% of them really don’t know. I know I didn’t.

By: March 2011 « Mrs. Chucklebeary's Garden

March 2011 « Mrs. Chucklebeary's Garden — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:59:53 +0000

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By: Dee

Dee — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:17:44 +0000

Thank You Matthew I appreciate your response. And your right, I never thought that maybe someone honestly doesn’t know what it means. I feel much better now…

God Bless!! :)