"Ash Removal"

She asked a very legitimate question yesterday. After all, my friend has never attended an Ash Wednesday service. She has never had ashes placed on her forehead. She has never truly journeyed through Lent other than to give up chocolates for a period of time ... "just because."

"Anna", she said ... "What is the proper etiquette for the removal of the ashes from my forehead? Am I to wipe the cross off during the service? On the way home? Before I go to bed? Do I sleep with the ashes on my forehead? I just don't know what I am to do."

I assured her that it was a very good question. I suggested that she remember the actual touch, the very action of the ashes being placed on her forehead. "This, my friend, is the moment of reminder of who we are ... a person who has become very 'sooty', a person in need of forgiveness and renewal, a person who is truly a beloved child of God." I told her of what is important to me and that is to look into the mirror at this mark of terrible beauty and be reminded that this is the brand I choose to wear forever ... each day ... in some way. "You will wash it off when you are ready, and yet, you will wear it forever."

Tonight, the ashes will be placed on my forehead as they have so many times before. Tonight a friend will experience this for the first time. But for each of us, there is great news in the midst of the hymns-in-a-minor-key, the dimness of lights, the whispers and prayers and ashes and quietness. We are beloved children of God, branded forever by this mark of terrible beauty.