When we realized that our planned trip to Saudi Arabia to visit our daughter would fall on Ash Wednesday we wondered just how we would be able to receive the traditional blessing of ashes on our foreheads. Knowing that Christianity is kind of underground here...people know it exists, they just don't advertise it. It is kind of "by word of mouth".
Our daughter is not a practicing Christian, in the traditional sense of going to church every Sunday, but it is where her roots are and her daily actions are certainly pleasing to God. She is an example of Christ in her daily life. We asked early on if she could find out just how we might be able to receive ashes. We knew the "church" existed here because one of our visiting priests had spent 16 years serving here and still comes back to relieve other priests during the summer. He had actually told us that a friend of his would be here during our time here. So, as our daughter was asking questions, we finally came to find out that "yes" we could receive ashes on Wednesday and we were told where to go. We couldn't attend Mass because it fell right at the time when Sojo's play would be starting and that is why had traveled all these miles. So, we went to this place anyway and rang the bell. There was Father John getting ready for Mass. The music was playing beautifully and it was as sacred a place as any ancient cathedral I had ever been in. We explained our dilemma to him and he graciously brought out ashes from last year, as this year's were not blessed yet. He said the prayers and made the sign of the cross on our hand, to be discreet. And so, these nomadic Christian/Catholics received ashes, just like any other year.
Since we are 10 hours ahead of MST in Arizona, I was seeing lots of Ash Wednesday posts on Facebook this morning. Everything from ashes being given on street corners to several articles on Ash Wednesday and Lent. We had actually discussed what we might do if we could not find the "place" where ashes were to be distributed here and had kind of smiled at the thought of taking some of the earth and blessing one another. This one from Spirituality and Practice really hit home to me. I had been so focused on finding "my" place of worship and being able to experience "my" faith tradition, that I forgot that it is ALL HOLY. Whether I am being blessed by a priest with ashes that have been blessed, or I am blessing myself or a loved one with the earth upon which I stand, it is all good...it is all Holy...it is all God.
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/days/features.php?id=16615
"Because of infirmity, family obligations, or work-related responsibilities, you may not be able to go to church today and be marked with ashes. But do not let that prevent you from being touched by this powerful ancient medicine. All the earth is holy land and its soil is blessed. So, place a small pinch of dust or dirt in the palm of your hand and use it to trace upon yourself the sign of the cross, a sign of death that leads to new life, as you prayerfully ask God to heal you."
And I repeat...I had been so focused on finding "my" place of worship and being able to experience "my" faith tradition, that I forgot that it is ALL HOLY. Whether I am being blessed by a priest with ashes that have been blessed, or I am blessing myself or a loved one with the earth upon which I stand, it is all good...it is all Holy..it is all sacred....it is all God.
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