Impressions [Ash Wednesday]
The Rev. Jeremiah Williamson Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Impressions I suspect that there are many great ways to make a good first impression. But instead, today, on this, my first day as your new priest, I am going to look directly in your eyes and remind you that you are going to die. For many of you, these will be the first words I personally say to you. I will then wipe black ashes on your face and send you back to your pew. Perhaps it goes without saying: this is not typically one of the many great ways in which one might make a good impression. But it is how we begin this new Church season of Lent together. We begin the season with this strange ritual. And we place this strange ritual – being marked with very noticeable ashes – alongside a Gospel reading in which Jesus says, “ Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them. ” We place this strange ritual – wearing ashes on our faces – along...