Bible Geek Word Nerd - Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

February 21, 2023

Because I do not hope to turn again
Because I do not hope
Because I do not hope to turn
Desiring this man's gift and that man's scope
I no longer strive to strive towards such things
(Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?)
Why should I mourn
The vanished power of the usual reign?

TS Eliot, "Ash Wednesday"

Peter Leithart writes: 

 

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.

 

"So what?" say some Christians. "To hell with Ash Wednesday, Lent, and all its pomp and show!" say (or imply) others. "Isn't it nonsensical folly to wear an ashen crown?"

 

Isaiah 61:3 sharpens the paradox. Returning exiles are anointed with oil and crowned with garlands, so ash must be the unglorious anti-crown of defeat, ruin, and death.

 

A paradox, yes, but a recognizable one. If we leave a residue of ash at death, life must be a form of burning. If ash signifies death, it’s because we’re sacrifices in life. 

 

Marked by ash, we display our union with Christ’s sacrifice.

 

And our ash crown points already to our share in the resurrection of Jesus. An anointed one turns to ash not because he dies but because he has lived.

 

Sharing Christ’s anointing by the Spirit, we’re living sacrifices, crowned with flame and ash, burning like the burning bush— burning, but not consumed. 

 

Is a crown of ash nonsensical folly? Yes, like the nonsensical folly of the cross, Jesus’ cosmic victory cleverly disguised as defeat.