A US Senator appeared on television this morning to discuss last night’s State Of The Union address. I was a bit surprised to see his forehead marked with black ash. Today is the religious day of Ash Wednesday. I was struck that seeing a man who had been to church for the application of ash was a rarity in this day and age. Papa attended a Catholic school and every kid received the mark made by ash as a symbol of sacrifice and repentence. None of us would have still had the ash on our forehead by mid-morning much less for a TV interview. We were too active. Ash flew everywhere. (Except for Jackie Bergens who looked covered with dirt or ash all the time.)
Papa never had much to repent through grade school but the sacrifice part of the ritual caught my attention. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. Yesterday was Mardi Gras. Big celebration and then it is into the wilderness to sacrifice. Lent is forty long days of sacrifice. We kids were supposed to “give up” something for Lent. Candy quickly popped to mind of course but Papa only allowed that to happen one time. Toughest forty days ever. Not smacking a brother was also hard but naming only one of three for the exclusion made the sacrifice doable. Favorite TV shows, movies, (Friday night and Saturday matinees were staples.) cake, cookies and pies made the grade in different years. Funny, but sacrifice actually seemed good for the soul. Adds a touch of restraint to an indulgent life. Humility of sorts I guess.
At any rate, today was strange when I thought about it. I saw no other ashes when driving or at the gym or grocery store.