Question from James on 2/6/2008:
Father --
Am I correct in assuming that the Church's use of ashes as a sign of penance is of Jewish origin?
Having noted that, why does the Church (as it has for so long) impose ashes on the head when Christ seemed to offer clear instructions to his followers that we were to not engage in such behavior? We are to wash our face, comb our hair...so that the Father alone knows of our interior devotion.
This has always puzzled me (as does the fact that the churches are more crowded today than on most Holy Days of Obligation).
Thanks -- and may your Lent be blessed by the Lord.
Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 2/7/2008:
James, Yes, David and the Israelites in penance used ashes, poor clothes, fasting. That is our tradition when we mortify our pride, conceit, self - opinion, egotism. Jesus criticizes the faker who shines with clean face, grand clothes, good scent in order to show off his goodness, to appear not to need penance for his sins. Fr. Bob Levis
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