Ash Wednesday is Losing it's Meaning UGH!

[CatholicMommy08]

 I don't understand why people feel the need to profess that they are Catholic on Ash Wednesday. Then they further need to go into what they are planning to suffer through for the next 40 days. If you are sacrificing something during lent, that is supposed to be kept between you and God. I don't need to read about it, be called about it or written to about it. It shouldn't be on display for others. You are seeking penance from God, why are you being so public? Are you seeking approval from man? This is supposed to be sacred between you and God! I wish I could find the bible verse but there is one that basically says to wash yourself and care for yourself so that others do not know your sacrifice because it is God you are seeking acknowledgement, approval and penance from. As far as I'm concerned, if you feel the need to tell people you are doing this or that, you have missed the point and it has lost all meaning.

[ejkmommy]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 2:44 PM

I have a question? What if you tell your family about it, so that they can help you with it during the 40 days? I am not bashing, I was just wondering what your views on that were? My family is Catholic, and we participate in Lent.

[CatholicMommy08]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 2:50 PM

I believe that talking to your family and faith community is understandable. I guess I should say that I saw someone go public on an online blog to the world about their fasting and sacrifices. I wasn't specific enough and I apoligize. If fact I found online what I was thinking of before but couldn't quote plus a little, please read the following, I feel it will clear things up. Let me know what you think.

Fast in Secret

Fasting should not be “for show.” It is not proof of spirituality. How long or how often you fast should rarely be mentioned to anyone. Neither should anyone notice that you are fasting due to your appearance—it should not show on your face.

Jesus gave clear instruction about this in Matthew 6:16-18: “Moreover when you fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; that you appear not unto men to fast, but unto your Father which is in secret: and your Father, which sees in secret, shall reward you openly.”

You should wash your face, comb your hair, appear normal. Only God should know that you are fasting.

However, on certain occasions it may be necessary for two or more to fast about the same matter, so keeping it to yourself is unavoidable. But on the whole, only God should know you are fasting.

Always remember that Jesus said, “For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Fasting should be more than simple hunger and thirst. It should help you see past the physical, to spiritual principles. A Christian must not live “by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; see also John 4:34; 6:26-27, 32-35, 50-51). During a fast, you should “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).

Afflicting yourself should powerfully help you draw closer to God, to study (II Tim. 2:15) and meditate on His Word (Psa. 119:15, 23, 48, 78, 148) and to pray to Him (I Cor. 7:5). These three tools produce an effective fast.

Fasting is a test to see what you will put first—hunger and thirst (“the lusts of the flesh”), or a humble, heartfelt desire to obey and submit yourself before God and draw closer to Him in every way.

Denying yourself in a humble attitude is repentance, not penance. It is not a way to atone for sins—only Christ can do that. A humble person willingly admits that his own ways are wrong and that God’s are right. He seeks God’s way and asks for His help, deliverance, instruction and guidance.

(Original Poster)

[ejkmommy]

Feb. 25, 2009 at 5:37 PM

Thank You I understand what you were saying a lot better. Have a great week and weekend,and I I agree with you 100%

[Mamaebeth]

Feb. 27, 2009 at 10:09 AM

I agree with you and disagree as well.

That is the reading for the mass on ash wednesday, which is ironic since you get ashes on your forehead and Ashes are a public sign of fasting and repentance.  Ashes on your forehead is a big huge sign that says "I'm Catholic" on ash wednesday.   

I think there is a difference between telling people on ash wednesday what you are planning to do for lent and complaining for the rest of the season.  That's how i take it anyway.  If i am fasting i cannot complain i am hungry because that defeats the purpose of fasting... but i can tell people i am fasting if they ask why i am not eating.