‘Ashes to Go’ for Those on the Fly
Speaking of Ash Wednesday coming up soon, have you ever heard of such nonsense?
For those too busy to go to church on Ash Wednesday, The Rev. Sandra Cosman of St. John’s Episcopal Church will be out standing on Main Street Wednesday, February 22 offering ‘Ashes to Go.’
For two hours, 1 to 3 p.m., Rev. Cosman will stand in her vestments holding a bowl of ashes from the burning of last year’s Palm Sunday palm fronds, offering all faiths a thumbprint of the ash on their forehead. Adminstered to the same spot on the forehead where Christians are baptized, they mark the beginning of the Lenten season…
But this is the first year for “Ashes to Go” in East Hartford. The idea was spawned in Chicago two years ago with ashes offered to commuters as they waited on Metra train platforms…
Rev. Cosman is willing to administer ashes to all passers-by on Main Street Wednesday, including people on bicycles, on foot, and those waiting for the bus. She will be standing in her white vestments next to the sidewalk at the busy intersection of Main Street and Burnside Avenue.
A meaningless exercise helping those who are perishing not one little bit. People should make time to worship God in community. Ash Wednesday is a solemn occasion. Reverent. Not to be reduced to yet another modern innovation Church Episcopal commercial venture.
My goodness, what next??? I just hope and pray all go to Church Ash Wednesday. I know how it makes me feel and reflect. I realize I am but mere dust, and to dust I will return. When I look upon the ashes on my forehead, I come to the remberance of how Christ suffered and died for the sins of this heap of dust. It also reminds me of how much He loves this unworthy heap of dust, that He would do that for me. God Bless, SR
SR
February 20, 2012 at 21:14