February 14, 2018 St Paul's, Monroe
Ash Wednesday Homily: St. Paul’s, Monroe Lectionary Begin liturgies where actions speak as loud as words Today it is ashes. Later it will be dramatic readings of the Crucifixion Washing of feet Bow before the cross in adoration Baptism: Why I have been an advocate of lots of water at baptism – preferably a pool so that it looks and feels like a bath – which the word baptism really means. Owen as youngster was scared of ashes – didn’t like masks at halloween either. Young people can often see spiritual reality that older folks can’t. 1st priest boss: this gospel is an occasion where the church does the opposite of what Jesus literally says. “Don’t show off your piety before others” – and I clearly found it powerful to wear ashes in public as an affirmation of my faith. Is this Jesus having a sense of humor? Being ironic? It is crucial to my experience of Jesus that he can laugh and be ironic. Should we...