Ash Wednesday

So I went shopping on Wednesday, a wet, snowy day and I saw a woman with a smudge on her forehead. I thought, oh no! She probably touched her car (as my car is filthy right now from all the melting snow) and accidently touched her head. I've done that.

I had this inner-turmoil go on in my head of Should I tell her? Should I let it go?

I finally thought, Well, I'd want someone to tell me if I had a major smudge on my head!

So, like the kind, considerate person I am, I went up to her and told her she had a little smudge on her forehead and that I just wanted her to know. Well, she looked at me like I was a total idiot and rude for telling her. Yeah, she said, It's Ash Wednesday. She tried to be kind about it and thanked me for being considerate, I guess, but the look she gave me said it all. So I slinked away feeling totally ignorant.

Now then, what is Ash Wednesday? I mean, we don't celebrate it or Lent in our faith. We DO celebrate Easter. I know that it occurs every year around Easter but I've never known why. So I researched.

"In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. (Can I note here that the smudge on her head did NOT look like a cross? It looked like a smudge. I tried to put a picture up here but it failed. So I wasn't totally an idiot)

Not all Christian churches observe Ash Wednesday or Lent. They are mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash Wednesday is not observed. The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21." (from about.com) I found a little bit more of an explanation, and humor, here

Anyway, what's the lesson learned? That's why I don't talk to people, Kurtis said. Maybe so, but maybe be more educated on the faiths of others. Whatever the case, Easter is upon us. What a wonderful time to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and His sacrifice for us. You can learn more here.