Sermon For Ash Wednesday

 


ASH WEDNESDAY


Imagine that it’s 1961. You’re Audrey Hepburn, entering into your daily ritual. This ritual places you before a store window. Why are you stopping in front of this particular window? You like what’s being displayed on the other side of the glass. You dream about the day when you’ll be able to adorn yourself with what’s being featured on the other side of this window.  


What is it that has you so captivated? Is it a bowl of ashes? Are you dreaming about the day when a priest will reach out and mark you with ashes? That’s an unlikely prospect. Why would ashes be put on display? Furthermore, why would anybody want to be adorned with ashes? Customarily, the more natural desire is to be adorned with jewelry. That’s what Audrey Hepburn dreams about in that 1961 film, Breakfast At Tiffany’s. She’s looking forward to the day when she can be adorned with the jewelry that comes from Tiffany’s. She’s attracted to jewelry, not ashes. 


Having outlined her ritual, now we can shift our attention to the ritual that leads us into Lent. You find yourself positioned in front of a church sanctuary, rather than a store window. This sanctuary includes an altar and also a crucifix. When you approach this altar you do so because you are drawn to the Blessed Sacrament. However, today’s ritual involves an additional liturgical action. Prior to the reception of Holy Communion, you will process forward so that you can be adorned with a marking of ashes. 


From a cosmetic standpoint, you’re doing something irrational. And yet, this is a place where the cosmetic gives way to the spiritual. From a spiritual standpoint, you’re doing what needs to be done: 


  • Tracing your roots by making use of an ancient Jewish symbol—ashes. 

  • Acknowledging the fact of your mortality. 

  • Confessing your attraction to sin.


Audrey Hepburn was very open about her attraction to jewelry. On this Ash Wednesday we’re being open about our weakness, our inability to resist the power of sin. We will spend this Lent rediscovering our need for redemption. No, it’s not an enjoyable experience. But it can be described as a necessary experience. And the experience will pass. Lent will serve its purpose by putting us in touch with our need for redemption. This sets the stage so that we can celebrate the offer of redemption, being revealed through the miracle of Easter.  

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