February 17, 2010

  • Ash Wednesday

    Rants

    Today the Catholic universe is celebrating Ash Wednesday. For all you people who's not Catholic, well, Ash Wednesday signals the start of the Lent season. It is when you see Catholics sporting a dash of dirt on their forehead. Some would resemble a cross, others more like pigeon shit.

    This practice takes its root from this verse of the Bible:

    By the sweat of your brow
           you will eat your food
           until you return to the ground,
           since from it you were taken;
           for dust you are
           and to dust you will return.
    ~ Genesis 3:19

    I remember the first time that I saw someone with the ash on their forehead. I was like in my first year in high school, the very first time that I got to school in the city. Mind you, my elementary years were quite conservative and I was like ignorant of the practices of Catholics, although I was surrounded by them. Nonetheless, when your kids, religion is not an issue. So, really, I had no idea about this practice.

    It so happened that during the time, there were rumors that the end of time was fast approaching. We had a series of film screenings in church on the story of the rapture. The terrible suffering of the people who were left. It was like a nightmare for me, and I did get nightmares for years.

    So, imagine seeing people brandishing this mark on their forehead! And the only forehead mark that I know of is that of the anti-Christ! I was like panicking. Oh no, was I not included in the rapture? What could I have done to be left behind? Opppssss... sorry, there was an incident in the bathroom, but hey, I thought everybody does it! Come on Lord, it could not have been a heavy sin!

    When I reached school I was like hysterical. But, mind you. In my own incognito manner, I asked my classmates, (they were complete, so I figured all of them were sinners) what's that mark on the forehead of some of the students and teachers, and they told me. Such a relief.

    So, if you see people with that mark, its not the mark of the anti-Christ, and no they did not allow themselves to be marked by the devil. It's a reminder of who they are, and what they will become. A practice of humility.

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    This tradition could be related to the ancient practice of Bharat when people would put tilak on each others forehead to symbolize protection. This mark, however, smells better than the ash used by Catholic priests. It's made of sandalwood. Quite relaxing.

    The tilak is also a reminder of our true nature, as souls.

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    Here's the thing, the tradition should not only be confined to the Catholics or the Hindus who have been practicing this for centuries. We can start our own tradition. This reminder, of who we are, of who our protector is, of what we are, helps us to be grounded. It keeps us humble, and tells us that our life in this world is not eternal. We are merely borrowing a costume which we use to interact with other souls.

    +++

    What does this tradition say to you?

    Photo credits: Top http://peterite.blogspot.com. Bottom http://www.desihits.com.

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