Ash Wednesday

When I was young Ash Wednesday was one of the most serious days of the whole year - second probably only to Good Friday.  Anglican youth went to church in the morning at one of the down town churches in Quebec City and after the service we were given a green card that when presented at school permitted us to arrive late for classes that day.  We had to take a city bus from the church to the school and as you can imagine we broke the serious mood just a little by dragging our heels as much as we figured we could get away with. It was, however, just the beginning of a different discipline that would permeate our lives for the next forty days.  There were extra church services to attend on a regular basis.  There would be serious conversations about what each one of us would give up for lent and decisions would have to be made.  Many of the normal routines of life would fall under scrutiny as the question would be asked as to whether or not this activity was appropriate for lent.

There is no point in longing for the past.  I am not sure I would want the past to return except for some sadistic desire to impose upon a new generation those torments that I had to endure.  None the less, I am mindful of the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1  "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.."  This dissertation ends with the proclamation:  "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  So what was beautiful about what we did?  As I look back I realize that this discipline taught me that life was not always about my wants and whims.  It taught me that when I put away some of the worldly desires I had, it really did turn my mind and my heart toward the things of God.  It strengthened my realization that the spiritual side of life was important.  All this is a part of my heritage that I do not regret or resent.  As we shy away from these practices today I wonder what message we are giving to our children and what kind of a heritage they are receiving.  A tree without roots will get blown over in the storm.