Ash Wednesday

[abacomah]

I have been truly amazed as to why "we as a society do as we do". I have been on the receiving end of some very cruel adults recently and some of them I don't even know and they don't know me. I just keep wondering why do people spend such precious energy being so cruel.

I have found no answer to that question and I am doing as Jimmy Buffet sings:

ABACOMAH
Buffett ….. Breathe in …. breathe out …… move on …..lovin’ Abaco and now SOWAL!!!

I also absolutely love this coke commercial. I substitute "Abaco" for "Coke" and I hope one day soon I will be able to substitute "SOWAL" for coke. I know on this cyperspace Board I already have

Here is the link to the commercial which played during the superbowl.
http://mcr.us.icoke.com/videoPlayer.do

 

[Rudyjohn]

Will some of you good Catholics explain Ash Wednesday to me?

Well, I think (not sure) but all Christians observe Ash Wednesday. Not just Catholics.

 

[TooFarTampa]

We are Episcopalian and we observe Ash Wednesday. I did not go to chapel at my son's school this year, but I have in years past. I've always wondered: What's the etiquette for wiping off the ashes? Do you wait a couple hours? All day? Does it defeat the purpose of everything to remove it after the service. :shock: I really don't have any idea.

 

[ktschris]

Why have people eased away from the original tradition to accomodate society today? A fast is a fast. From Ocean Lover's link, I understand that originally, people fasted for 40 days, and it states, ""Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water." I am not recommending fasting for 40 days, but to go from giving up extra scoops of icecream for dessert for a 40 day period is a long way from fasting. Are Christians of today getting soft, because Christianity doesn't completely fit their lifestyle? I'm not pointing fingers, just trying to understand why we as a society do what we do, and I welcome open discussion. Please help me understand.

I'm sorry that my lunch hour is almost over....I will have to bail on this discussion early.

Also, please note that these are my OPIONS and beliefs, not Cannon Law, so please don't jump on me.

SJ -- you might be over simplifying it just a bit. I don't believe our "society" changed these traditions, I believe they have evolved over thousands of years. Even with my 40 years as a practicing Catholic, I can see things that have been modified. Having said that, it?s not only religion that has changed over a thousand years ? or a hundred for that matter. Things do change. Some for the better, some not. Those who are giving up ?the extra scoop of ice cream? are still participating. Would that fly with my priest, no. But just like your faith and how you pray to God, it is a personal thing. I?ve been taught that Lent is not just a season to give up something. It is a time to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection. We encourage our kids to prepare not only by sacrificing, but to added something too. My 6 year old said to me for lent, she is going to try not to fight with her brother so much. (Her words, not mine). Even if that only last for 40 minutes, she is learning to be closer to God, made an effort to do it for him.

 

[TooFarTampa]

In simple terms:
http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/ash_wed.htm

I'm giving up alcohol for Lent so please no one tempt me. I'm serious.

You amaze me.

I just decided ... I'm giving up online shopping for Lent. :shock: For a stay at home mom who rarely leaves the house in peace this is a major decision.

(Could not give up SoWal or email. )

 

[kathydwells]

We are Episcopalian and we observe Ash Wednesday. I did not go to chapel at my son's school this year, but I have in years past. I've always wondered: What's the etiquette for wiping off the ashes? Do you wait a couple hours? All day? Does it defeat the purpose of everything to remove it after the service. :shock: I really don't have any idea.

I read in one of the links posted above, it is supposed to remain in place until sundown.

 

[TooFarTampa]

I read in one of the links posted above, it is supposed to remain in place until sundown.

I missed it. Thanks. Guilty of skimming.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

In simple terms:
http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/ash_wed.htm

I'm giving up alcohol for Lent so please no one tempt me. I'm serious.

I have chosen to give up chocolate. Won't be pretty for a few days!

 

[kathydwells]

In simple terms:
http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/ash_wed.htm

I'm giving up alcohol for Lent so please no one tempt me. I'm serious.

I suggest you give up Kayaking, biking, running, or anything else that your feng shuing, organizing, hyper self does other than the alcohol for lent. You might need it before Easter.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Well, I think (not sure) but all Christians observe Ash Wednesday. Not just Catholics.

My church doesn't observe Ash Wednesday or Lent. It's a non-denominational christian church. And thankfully things have changed. I sure wouldn't want to be walking around in sackcloth and ashes and shunned from the community for 40 days!

Ash Wednesday Today:
Christians are expected to engage in both fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday. Today only Roman Catholics continue with the tradition of applying ashes on Ash Wednesday, using the ashes created by the burning of palm fronds from the pervious Palm Sunday. There are special church services on Ash Wednesday in Anglican, Lutheran, and some other Protestant churches. Eastern Orthodox churches do not observe Ash Wednesday at all because their Lent begins on a Monday, known as ?Clean Monday

Taken from http://atheism.about.com/od/easterholidayseason/p/AshWednesday.htm