I'm usually fairly egotistical, but I have restrained myself in part by thinking of Christ's admonition against flaunting my personal holiness:
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Matthew 6:5)
So I was mildly horrified in my youth..., on Ash Wednesdays, to get my ashes and then to have to wear them all day. As Sister said. I know we should not hide our faith, but jeepers! What could be more showy than wearing a black patch smack in the middle of your forehead?
So, I make it a practice to wipe off my ashes soon after I leave church. Actually, as soon as it won't look disrespectful to be doing it. Surely, by the time I get into my car to head home.
But last night, after Ash Wednesday, I forgot. I headed to the library to pick up some books that were on hold. I was my usual self, joking around with the librarians, checking out the new arrivals and playing with the new self-checkout lane. When I get home, I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror -- and the huge, black, ashy cross on my forehead.
So Jesus, does it still as prayer if I didn't know I was showing off?
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Matthew 6:5)
So I was mildly horrified in my youth..., on Ash Wednesdays, to get my ashes and then to have to wear them all day. As Sister said. I know we should not hide our faith, but jeepers! What could be more showy than wearing a black patch smack in the middle of your forehead?
So, I make it a practice to wipe off my ashes soon after I leave church. Actually, as soon as it won't look disrespectful to be doing it. Surely, by the time I get into my car to head home.
But last night, after Ash Wednesday, I forgot. I headed to the library to pick up some books that were on hold. I was my usual self, joking around with the librarians, checking out the new arrivals and playing with the new self-checkout lane. When I get home, I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror -- and the huge, black, ashy cross on my forehead.
So Jesus, does it still as prayer if I didn't know I was showing off?
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