The Notebook
I suspect very few people would choose Ash Wednesday as one of their favourite days of the year. I have to admit that in recent times the first day of Lent has become a day I do look forward to. A number of years ago, together with my colleague from the neighbouring Church of Ireland parish, we set up a stall in the local SuperValu supermarket to distribute blessed ashes.
The shop owner was a little sceptical when I first broached the idea with him but now he calls me to make sure that we are coming with the ashes. It is fascinating to see the reaction of some of the unsuspecting customers when they see the two clerics at the table.
Locals are used to some charity or community group fundraising in the shop so a great number try to give us money. When we refuse they are dismayed…two priests refusing money!
One woman came over thinking that I was demonstrating a new brand of black pudding available in the store but stayed nonetheless to have her forehead marked with the black ash instead. Another lady approached my colleague and received the ashes. Later down the aisle her neighbour asks her whether she knew if it was the “protestant minister” who blessed her with ashes. She wondered should she go back to Mass that night and get them again…from the priest!
Brisk business
Oh dear, we still have some way to travel. Back at the ash table, business was brisk as people of all ages who perhaps didn’t have the chance to get to Mass were delighted to receive ashes even if they only called into to buy a loaf of bread. I discover that the shop owner had advertised our presence on his Facebook page so many came just for the ashes and didn’t shop at all.
While our reason for being in the shop for four hours was to distribute blessed ashes, the highlight for me was the amazing conversations I had with the customers. Most of them were local but many were passing through town from various parts of the country.
I heard stories of broken limbs, broken relationships and broken lives. But there were also happy stories of gratitude for blessings received and prayers answered. Everybody wanted to bring some ash away to a housebound parent or a partner who would be home late from work. The Rector and I agreed that our little initiative to move out of the comfort zones of our ancient churches and meet the people where they are at was a good way to begin the Christian season of Lent.
What is it about Ash Wednesday that still captures the imagination with that very public marking with the cross, the blacker the better? Has it to do with that innate sense in all of us described so well by the poet Brendan Kennelly… “something that will not acknowledge conclusion insists that we forever begin”. Every year wherever we are in our life or in our faith, Lent offers us that chance to begin again.
***
The joys of married life!
A man and a woman, who have never met before, find themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train. Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, the two are tired and fall asleep quickly – he in the upper bunk and she in the lower.
At 2am, he leans over and gently wakes the woman, saying: “Ma’am, I’m sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the cupboard to get me a second blanket? I’m awfully cold.”
“I have a better idea,” she replies. “Just for tonight, let’s pretend that we’re married.”
“That’s a great idea!” he exclaims.
“Good,” she replies. “Get up and get your own blanket.”
***
A prayer for Lent
Truly dust we are, and to dust we shall return;
And truly yours we are, and to you we shall return.
Help this to be a time of turning round and beginning again.
Through the 40 days of Lent, help us to follow you
And to find you: in the discipline of praying
And in the drudgery of caring –
In whatever we deny ourselves,
And whatever we set ourselves to learn or do.
