It's Hard to Be Humble

A co-worker of mine arrived today with a cross-shaped smear of ashes on her forehead. I knew immediately that early this morning she had appeared at her place of worship for “the imposition of ashes.” This is Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent, the forty days (excluding Sundays) which precede Easter. The pouring of ashes on one’s body is an ancient practice symbolizing mourning or repentance. It is this latter idea that is represented by the modern practice.

Typically, those who wish to participate approach the altar or communion rail where the pastor or priest applies ashes on the forehead of each person, then repeats the words God spoke to our first parents after they had sinned, “Dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” While not commanded by God, many Christians choose on this day to wear the symbol that reminds all of us of our mortality and sinfulness. Not one of us is sufficient on our own, but all need the redemption offered by the Savior represented by the cross.

So, since seeing that ashy cross this morning, I have been thinking about humility. I had to smile, remembering the family gathering last summer where one of my nieces gave a truly funny rendition of the old Mac Davis song: “Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way. . .” The trouble is, there are many people whose attitude is nearly that arrogant. Oh, they probably wouldn’t be so bold as to state it in those words, but they insist, “I’m as good as anybody.” “Religion is for the soft and weak.” “I don’t need God.”

Yes, it’s hard to be humble. It is hard to admit, “I am just like Adam, a sinner.” Dying and returning to dust is something we would rather not think about too much. But whether we wear the symbolic ashes or not, whether we even acknowledge the Lenten season or not, our need for repentance and the fact of our mortality are real.

MaryMartha
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Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com