The Word...a parable

1/29/2016

A woman is given a Bible as a Christmas gift. Minutes after opening the extravagant wrappings of red ribbon and elegant paper, a man who was looking on asked: "May I see your Bible? I would like to read the psalms."

What should the woman have done? Should she have said: "I'm sorry. No. I won't share The Word with you; even though I recognize your need. I can't. The book is valuable and somewhat fragile and must be preserved. I will take it home and put it in a place of honor...perhaps my coffee table." Or this: "By all means! Let's turn to the psalms right now. Take the Bible and read it. Keep it as long as you need to. I am happy to share The Word with you...."

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34 Comments

jackie white

1/29/2016 03:09:58 pm

No matter how beautiful the gift of the Bible is, just placing it on the
coffee table will produce no good results other than admiring it. So, yes why not share the Word of God and let it produce fruit in the life of the one who is reading it as well as the one to whom the Bible was given and is sharing it.

Evelyn Augusto

1/29/2016 09:32:45 pm

Yes...

Chrissy B

1/29/2016 09:03:34 pm

I think she should give the man her new bible so that he may read the psalms everyday. The gift was obviously meant to be his. The Lord would provide her with another bible eventually. What better way to spread the Word than to give the Word.

Evelyn Augusto

1/29/2016 09:31:57 pm

You are always wisdom filled Chrissy.

Dennis

2/2/2016 06:09:15 am

Thank you, Evelyn, for your example of forgiveness. My guess is the man read much of that bible, not just the Psalms . Possibly with much admiration of the book it's self. You share so freely, thank you for that,

Catherine Weredyk

2/5/2016 12:09:19 pm

Pass it on always!!!

Richard Anthony link

2/10/2016 05:46:33 pm

Thanks again for your site, Evelyn. On this Ash Wednesday, as I was at mass, I happened to think of the post I left here last February when I wrote about my decision to give up having ashes imposed on my forehead. As I recall, you expressed misgivings--perhaps even sorrow--about my decision and urged me to speak with your priest about it. I saw no reason to do so because I doubt that anyone's argument or logic will convince me that my interpretation of the Bible passages that pertain to this issue is in error, i.e. that we should make "no outward signs" that we are fasting and to pray in secret.

With the help of your excellent archives, I was able to find the post I left here last February, which was:

“ 'Rend your hearts, not your garments.' really hits home with me, as right now I'm wrestling with a crisis of conscience that maybe other Catholic readers can identify with and/or weigh in on.

Last Lent, besides the usual abstaining from one selected
self-indulgence, I decided to also give up having ashes imposed on my forehead. Why? The Lenten scriptures. To me they are very explicit.

Matthew 6:16-18 says: 'anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others' and 'do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.' Do it 'so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.'

Immediately after these readings, in what I now see as glaring and
almost farcical hypocrisy, the entire congregation lines up to have
their faces smeared with black crucifixes--or more often than
not--black smudges. Everybody except yours truly. . . . Talk about
being odd man out.

I'm sure that this issue will continue to pose a personal dilemma for
me every Lent from now on. Am I the only one in the Catholic world who feels this way? Maybe Evelyn could devote a future blog to it! Short of that, any and all comments here will be welcome."

Now, a year later, to my recollection only Jackie White has ever expressed an opinion about this issue and since it is only here in your blog that I have discussed my views and decision, I have not dwelt on it, apart from a few moments' uneasiness upon leaving church when I am acutely aware that I am the only one in the congregation without this "mark" of our faith. But as I said, it's an ephemeral feeling and soon enough everyone will "wash their faces" and it will be forgotten as we move towards the Glory of Easter. God bless us all.

jackie white

2/11/2016 06:49:31 am

Richard,
I know that Evelyn will give you a great answer to your situation. I regularly watch a video...that you can find on Ascension Presents.com. As I was praying my regular prayers within the last 15 minutes, this popped up in my inbox. I watched Fr. Mike's latest one and it is just for you and entitled the significance of Ash Wednesday. Give it a look and along with what Evelyn presents to you this may help, also.

Richard Anthony link

2/12/2016 05:13:59 am

Jackie,
Thank you for your kind comments and referral to Fr. Mike's video, which I watched intently and with great hope as he spoke of the rationale for displaying ashes on one's forehead. Believe me when I tell you that I was waiting with great anticipation for that moment when he, as he proclaimed and declaimed so vigorously and earnestly that it was Ash Wednesday and how significant it was to bear ashes on one's forehead--even demonstrating the cross motion with his thumb that that the priest makes during the imposition of ashes--I had high hopes that I would see him at some point with ashes on his own forehead. To my great dismay that moment never came. After extolling the rationale and necessity for ashes on Ash Wednesday, his video ended with no sign of said imposition on his own forehead. Even more disturbing was that he made no mention at all of any Bible reference to the practice,and certainly did not address my concern about the Bible's explicit exhortation to avoid such overt displays of piety, prayers and fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)..

Alas, this video does not alter my belief. I do not want to, nor expect to, overturn two thousand years of custom and practice. This is my own private crisis of confidence and I realize that it is ultimately a matter between me and God..

Fr. Michael Cambi

2/25/2016 10:57:59 am

Hi Richard - Fr. Michael here ... wanted to respond to your comments around Ash Wednesday a couple of weeks ago, but got sidetracked. Sorry for the delay. I haven’t read any other responses, so if any of this is redundant, please forgive me.

It’s obvious your heart is in the right place. You are a man of faith who takes God’s Word seriously and strives to live your life accordingly. And the gospel for Ash Wednesday is all about having one’s heart in the right place – that is Jesus’ primary concern, as evidenced by the repeated phrase, “in order that people may see them” or “in order to win the praise of others.”

So Jesus criticizes the hypocrites because the primary motive for their pious practices is self-glorification instead of giving glory to God. When attempting to apply scripture to one’s life it’s always dangerous to interpret a limited number of verses in isolation, without considering the larger context ... and the larger context should really be the entire scriptural deposit, but at the very least in this case, the four gospels.

In other places, Jesus speaks of the importance of overt, public witnessing to Him and His gospel as part of faithful discipleship. If she hasn’t already, Evelyn will post an old Ash Wednesday homily of mine that addresses this issue more fully. I hope it helps you understand this point about ashes:

Granted, someone coming out of Mass with a cross of ashes smeared on the forehead could be in violation of the teaching Jesus offers about fasting, prayer and almsgiving. That would be a person who has this kind of attitude or disposition in his heart: “Hey everybody, check me out – I gave up my lunch so I could go to Mass and get ashes and begin Lent the way we’re supposed to. Aren’t you proud of me and my faithfulness and my holiness? Why don’t you come on over here and ask me what I gave up for Lent?”

But I daresay this is not what’s going on in most people’s hearts on Ash Wednesday. Some, and hopefully most, recognize ashes are an outward sign not of holiness, but of one’s need for conversion and repentance, and one’s sorrow for their sins. (Consider the role ashes played for the folks in Nineveh in chapter three of the Book of the Prophet Jonah.) So with their ashes people should be saying to the world, “I am a sinner in need of God’s mercy. I have faith in God’s mercy, and I’m asking for his grace this Lenten season so that by the time Easter comes, I will be a more committed, faithful disciple of Jesus Christ than I am today. " Thus, in hearts like these, ashes are not at all of form of boasting, or an attempt to win the praise of others. They are rather a form of genuine humility and a courageous witness to the Lord.

To flush this out a little more, consider the person who gets ashes, leaves church, gets into the car and immediately wipes every last little bit of ashen dust from his or her forehead. Is this wrong? Well, it depends on what’s happening in the heart. Is the person embarrassed and ashamed to be recognized by the world as a faithful Catholic Christian? Or is the person of your mind and heart, and trying to be humble and quiet relative to personal piety and sacrifices offered to God, believing that by acting in this way, the Father who sees in secret will repay the person accordingly?

Peace to you this day, and have a blessed Lent.

Richard Anthony link

2/26/2016 01:40:58 am

Thank you, Fr. MIchael,

I appreciate your in-depth reply to help resolve my conflicting emotions over the imposition of forehead ashes on Ash Wednesday.

My dilemma began in 2014 after reflecting on the scriptures for the first day of Lent. That day the instructions of Matthew 6:16-18 to "anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others" hit home with me.

The incongruity of this strong admonition against public displays of piety, followed by the immediate imposition of ashes on the forehead, struck me as almost farcical, glaringly wrong, and hypocritical--and until either God or man convinces me that I am in error, I will refrain from this public display.

To my understanding it is not required of Catholics to have ashes imposed nor is it a sin. So for me, to quote Bartleby, the scrivener, I'll continue to say, "I would prefer not to" and leave it at that. But not without a great sense of separateness and alienation from my fellow worshipers.

Please know that I find great comfort when you say, "Well, it depends on what’s happening in the heart." I hope and pray that what's in my heart is worthy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

May you and yours enjoy a blessed and Happy Easter. God, continue to bless us all. Please.

Evelyn Augusto link

2/10/2016 08:24:19 pm

Hi Richard. Thank you for your thoughtful post. I promise to address your quandary in the next day or so. I need to do some reading and thinking.
I understand your point. Stay tuned...

Richard Anthony link

2/12/2016 05:15:06 am

Thanks, Evelyn. I won't touch that dial. Promise!

Evelyn Augusto link

2/12/2016 06:27:06 am

As you know Richard...for every argument in favor of one issue, there is another argument to support the opposite view.

Case in hand...in The Book of Daniel we read: 'I turn to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.'

I think when Jesus warns of "wearing our righteous on our leaves" he is speaking more about our internal disposition. Are we doing these things for the right reasons?

The sign of ashes on one's forehead tells the world: I believe! And I am going to try and do better. I'm a witness to God's mercy.

Being a faithful disciple of Christ ought to bring peace to one'side heart.

I hope to revisit this with more detail from Catholic scholars. Till then keep Jesus on your mind.

Richard Anthony link

2/12/2016 03:33:33 pm

Thanks for your thoughts, Evelyn.

Words from neither scholar nor clergy are likely to alter what I perceive as this crystal-clear admonition:
'anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others'
--Matthew 6:16-18:

This Gospel is preached every Ash Wednesday. After hearing it and reflecting on it year after year for more than a quarter century it finally registered. I have come to the interpretation of it that I now hold, which is: DO NOT DO THESE THINGS!

The fact that everyone else is doing it does not influence me.

On a completely different topic, is it just me or did you change the design and layout of your website in the last 24 hours?

Evelyn Augusto

2/12/2016 04:07:29 pm

Yes...it's new. What do you think about today's post: Church as home

corinne

2/15/2016 04:40:53 am

I'm sorry I am replying to this now, but I have seen the discussion on the ashes, all I can do is give you what information that I have learned over the years.
When talking about displaying the ashes and the scripture that was read ,, do your praying and fasting in secret, and not for people to see. Their are people in this world who want people to see how just and reverent they are ,but still don't do whats required of God '
The Ashes are not just a reminder to us but to all the world that God formed man. GENESIS 2 verse 7
Then the Lord God formed man from the dust, the dust of the ground.
Also GENISIS 3 verse 19
Wearing the ashes on my forehead is me saying I believe.

Evelyn Augusto link

2/15/2016 06:25:33 am

Corrine, that was really helpful. There is so much to say on the subject of Ash Wednesday. Yours was a great reminder of one of the first "adult truths" I was faced with when young. It puts so much into perspective.
Thank you.

Corinne

2/15/2016 12:38:10 pm

Your welcome Evelyn, I do understand that it maybe difficult for one to know the difference between the ashes on your forehead and the scripture that was read on ash Wednesday but there is.
Ashes are for the faithful to reminds us to be faithful to the gospel, turn away from sin, and that we are made from dust and that we would return to dust .
We contemplate on our sins and to better ourselves .
I am proud to profess them on my forehead to say I am a Christian . As for praying and fasting that is personal between God and I and that does not have to be displayed . But my faithfulness to the Gospel can be there for me as a reminder or anyone to see.

Dennis

2/16/2016 06:13:32 am

For me, anyways, the ashes have been a show of "I'm a Catholic". Christ did warn against fruitless ritual that separates us from real worship of God. I feel Christ could admire someone who follows his beliefs of proper behavior in his worship of God. I have had several struggles, in my years, around how God wants me to worship him. I still wonder.

Evelyn Augusto link

2/16/2016 10:21:43 am

Why wonder? The Church makes how we are called to worship very obvious. Maybe more of us "Cradle Catholics" might consider a "tune-up" at an RCIA program.

Corinne

2/16/2016 09:21:48 am

I guess what some might feel is rituals others consider to be reminders , liturgy or sacramental.
I cannot deny the fact as Catholic
I know that there are many symbols that we use . But there is a difference between what reminds us and what some would call fruitless rituals. For example the fish sign early Christians would outline a fish which is logical because it was mentioned in the Gospels . This was also used to recognize other Christians in fear of persecution . Just as ashes were in the Old Testament
Genisis18;27. Lev 4:12. 6:11 Num19:9 the Isrealites used
Water and Ashes they were used for cermonial purposes to cleanse the unclean.
Ashes show a visible sign of penance , people wear them as a reminder to turn away from sin, penance and reflection . It prepares us for Easter through which we attain redemption.
Coming back again to what is called a fruitless ritual , if this reminds us and helps oneself to have humble hearts it will help in the spirit of humility.. And that would not be fruitless to me if this draws me closer to Christ.

Evelyn Augusto

2/16/2016 10:16:50 am

Corrine: Thanks for sharing your witness but I don't think any of us have come close to resolving Richard's concern. I know he is aware of all that we have said. I also know that we really haven't addressed his quandry. How do we reconcile that particular page from the Gospel with what we do on Ash Wednesday? Let's keep thinking, trying and sharing.

Corinne

2/16/2016 11:48:14 am

I tried It's a reminder of our immortality , simple
Reminder . My fasting is between God and I .

Dennis

2/17/2016 05:32:49 am

I hope that my words are not miss interpreted. I was speaking in general terms not specifics. I look to the crucifix for inspiration while I pray. Now, if I prayed to the crucifix it's self it would be a terrible sin against God. Am I wrong?

Corinne

2/17/2016 08:52:22 am

I do understand , but through the years the way I put it into perspective, was to know the ashes are a sign of repentance , and immortality. By wearing them it does mean I'm telling people what I tell God personally .i look at the Gospel as God telling me get up wash you face basically telling me groom yourself and go about your day like usual don't look glum . When you pray to God that's when I tell him all what I need too, not so people can praise me for doing good , where's the joy in that if people seen my almsgiving and prayer. For the record I got my ashes at night so nobody seen but me and family

Corinne

2/18/2016 03:37:33 am

I'm sorry I meant to say
By wearing them it does not mean I'm telling people what I say to God personally. This kindle types what it want sometimes.

Louise

2/22/2016 08:31:02 pm

Years ago in Oswego, NY....I was attending Mass, it was Ash Wednesday & the Mass was held at 6pm.
There was quite a few people, not sure how many, but it was a big old church & the people were scattered around the church. After communion I kept hearing the church doors open & close....eventually the doors to the vestibule were getting pushed open.... I was new to the parish & wondered what was going on.
At the end of Mass the pastor invited the people up to receive ashes.....I was astounded to see the doors get fully pushed open, it seemed like 100 people started to march up the church aisle to " get their ashes"!
I was so upset that these people were more interested in having a mark on their forehead than receiving the Body of Christ into their hearts at Mass that I walked out without getting my ashes! I ended up going to confession & told the pastor that I did not get my ashes because of what I saw. My sin was not getting the ashes..but my disgust of the human condition. He told me that is how it always had been and did not see it changing. So, I have been torn over the years, do I or don't I? Most of the time I don't. But the priests or someone in charge, got smart and don't wait until the end of Mass, but distribute the during the Mass. But have seen a piece on TV a few years ago that showed people giving out ashes on the street corner! How will Jesus judge me? That is my only concern.

Richard Anthony link

2/23/2016 12:35:12 am

Glad to see that the group discussion about the imposition of forehead ashes is so lively. If it continues we may evolve a different perspective on this ritual by next Ash Wednesday. As Catholic rituals go, I know little about this one except for what I've gained by osmosis over the years. I recall nothing from my catechism instruction about its history or other details--if in fact, any.emphasis was given to those.. However, in previous comments here I note that several people give, as a reason for wearing the ashes, words to the effect of, "to show that I'm a Catholic." To me, this directly contradicts the spirit of the scripture that tells us, "wash your face" and "make no outward sign that you are fasting." For me Louise sums it up when she says, "How will Jesus judge me? That is my only concern." Amen, and Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Dennis

2/25/2016 06:05:56 am

Thank you, everyone!

Corinne

2/25/2016 06:10:25 pm

Why do I keep seeing on seeing???
TO SHOW THAT I'm a Catholic. I know that some Methodist , Lutheran, and Episcopal's get ashes too .

Evelyn Augusto

2/23/2016 08:03:42 am

I think the message is more: "I choose to repent. I choose to believe in The Gospel."

jackie white

2/25/2016 11:14:10 am

Thank you Fr. Michael. I hope this helps Richard, our regular here on letitallstarthere blog.

It gave me some extra points to ponder as well.

Richard Anthony link

2/26/2016 03:36:38 am

Jackie, thanks for commenting about Lenten ashes. Fr. Michael's reply did help to address my concern about this ritual, which Corinne says is not exclusively Catholic.

I wrote a haiku to sum it up:

All Catholics are
Christians but not all Christians
Count as Catholics.

In peace and harmony, let us all worship our one true God, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

LET IT aLL sTART hERE
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