Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a 46-day period of preparation for the joyful Easter celebration. The word lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "lengthen"; it refers to the longer days of spring. 

Lent is about mortality and transformation; death and rebirth. Marcus Borg says "It means dying to an old way of being, and being born into a new way of being, a way of being centered once again in God."


Many Christians observe Lent by praying, fasting, and contributing help to the community; they eat only light meals or choose something else to do without. The intention is to find real and symbolic ways to release and cleanse, in order to prepare oneself, inside and out.

At Lent I allow myself to be slow, simple, and thoughtful. I take the time to notice the “thin place” where the ordinary and the sacred meet. I spend time each day in study and prayer. But I also observe Lent as a time of compassionate action.


Agenda for Lent:
1. Journal:
At Lent, I choose something- an activity or habit- to temporarily reduce or cut out of my life, as a reminder that what I truly need is the nurturing of Spirit. It could be evening meetings, computer games, coffee, stacks of clutter, or fear and indifference. I try to choose something that is a good symbol of how I am trying to grow.

How might I simplify my life?
What compassionate action is calling me?
What might I fast from or do without in order to prepare for the joy of rebirth? 

From my journal: My life is as uncomplicated right now as it can be. I've had to slow down in order to heal, and make time for physical therapy. Since my accident, I've realized that my growth is towards compassion and awareness of suffering. My fast this year should be in support of that growth.

2. Fast and simplify my life:
Last year my theme for Lent was Homelessness. I studied the problem, found small ways to make a difference, and fasted from heating my house.

This year my theme is Compassion for Suffering. I want to be more aware of the hurts those around me are suffering, more patient with the time it takes to heal, more knowledgable about suffering in the world and how I contribute to it, and take actions to alleviate some hurts. 

Last year Pope Francis asked for people to fast from indifference towards others. He said “whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.” 

My intention for fasting this year is to give up indifference, and embrace awareness and compassion instead.

3. Prayer:
Lately I've begun a practice of prayer whenever I hear an ambulance (several times a day): I stop a moment and say, 

"May I be strong and healthy, and free from pain. May they (the targets of the ambulance) be strong and healthy, and free from pain. May all creatures be strong and healthy, and free from pain."

4. Daily Lenten calendar:
I really like the calendars that some churches publish for Lent, with a daily reading and a task of some kind. I have made my own calendar to follow, and the first week is posted just above this entry.

5. Ashes Art:
During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. Wearing the ashes is a symbol of mortality, sorrow, and repentance for your sins. It comes from Job, who repented “in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6) and from Genisis- “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).

A cross of ashes is not a part of my faith tradition, but this year I am drawn to that visceral reminder of mortality. I was dramatically reminded of my mortality in December when I was hit by a driver while biking. I didn't die! I'm glad to be alive. But death is in my future, and today I wanted to acknowledge that, so I collected ashes and chunks of charcoal from our fire pit and used them for a painting.

6. Hang the Lady Lent:
Greek children make a paper doll for Lent, called Kyra Sarakosti (Lady Lent). The Kyra always folds her hands in prayer, and she has no mouth because she is fasting. Also, she has seven legs, representing the number of weeks in Lent. Each Saturday, the children fold back a leg as they count down the weeks.

I made a Lady Lent a couple years ago that I can use each year- Now she hangs in my living room as a visual reminder of the countdown to Easter. The instuctions are here.

7. Make pretzels:
Pretzels are a traditional bread for Lent because they are made with no dairy or eggs.

Pretzels were invented by an Italian monk as a reward to children who learned their prayers. The strips of baked dough are folded to resemble arms crossing the chest. The monks called the breads "little arms" (bracellae). From this Latin word, the Germanic people later coined the term "pretzel."

Ingredients: 

• 1 pkg. yeast 
• 3 c. flour 
• 1 Tbsp. sugar 
• 1 tsp. salt 
• 1 c. very warm water (130ºF) 
• 6 c. water 
• 4 Tbsp. baking soda 
• coarse salt

Yield: 12 pretzels-

1- Combine the yeast, flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add 1 c. very warm water (130ºF) and mix well.

2- Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth. Cover with a bowl and let stand for 10 minutes.

Georgia making a pretzel.

3- Divide the dough into 12 pieces, and form each into a long rope. Twist into a crossed arm shape, and place on a small piece of waxed paper. Let the pretzels rise 20 minutes.

4- Meanwhile, oil 2 baking sheets, preheat the oven to 400ºF, and stir in the baking soda into a 6 c. water in a large pot. Heat the soda bath to boiling.

5- Carefully tip one pretzel off the waxed paper into the soda bath. Boil for 15 seconds, then lift out with a slotted spoon, drain, and place on a baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the pretzels.

Pretzels ready to bake.

6- Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt. Bake 20 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack.