Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. It was the first Ash Wednesday in as long as I can remember that I did not receive ashes. I didn't forget either. I was reminded by my sister via text message that I should get them and I saw people with them on their foreheads walking around all day.
I even had an opportunity to receive them when I came out of Beijing Cafe last night around 10:20 and saw the lights on across the street in Marsh Chapel. My friend Kara and I walked up to the doors and peered inside at all of the people attending mass. She said to me, "We could stay. It's up to you." I declined, so instead we went to Crispy Crepes for dessert.
On the way there, we discussed fate vs. pre-destination and other matters pertaining to faith and religion.
"I'm not sure what I believe anymore, but I've always gotten ashes" I said.
She replied, "Well, what do they mean?"
I couldn't answer that. I mustered up something nonsensical about Jesus spending time in the desert and the palms from Palm Sunday being used to make the ashes and just blurted it out. I also told her that I wasn't giving anything up for Lent.
What would I give up?
-Being awesome? Not possible.
-My old ace in the hole, soda? Already given up for health reasons.
-Women? Yeah, right.
-Alcohol? See above.
-Junk food? What does that really even accomplish? I love junk food. It's delicious.
I'm sure there's something that I could give up for Lent if I really thought hard about it, but I just don't care as much as I did when I was a kid and my teachers and my mom told me to give something up. Maybe I don't have as much faith anymore. Or maybe I never did; it was just obedience to adults and once I was old enough to make my own decisions, I gave up my religion.
In the end, just to satisfy Kara--who didn't like my previous post (I know, how could anyone NOT like that? I was just thinking the same thing.)--I have decided to give up fiddling with the flukes of modern technology and trying to learn how to salsa dance.
Umm, you're welcome, Kara.
~Mike
P.S. 39 days 'til Jesus gets back, Woot Woot!!!
2 comments:
how can i "follow" your blog, like you can follow mine?
i want to have you on my site.
how do i do this!?!? i am a newbee!
loveee.
ben
Sorry, I had disabled that feature a while back. I just put it back up so you should be good. Try it now.
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