May I pray a blessing for you though?” “YES, please,” he said. “Oh wait, are you talking about that black cross on your forehead, do I have to have that?” “No, if you do not want me to. “What are you doing? Is it free?” “Yes,” I said. “Oh thank God y’all are here again this year, I have to work late and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it to church tonight,” said the workman sitting in his truck while doffing his hard hat. Maybe not as reverent as others, but his desire was not lost on me.

I had just blessed his wife on the passenger side so he twisted his body from the driver’s seat with his head upside down on her lap as I imposed ashes on his forehead. “God bless all of you out here and your church for doing this for all us busy people.”Ī man wanted to be blessed with ashes but didn’t want to delay traffic while stopped at the red light on our busy corner. “No thank you, I’m not Catholic,” as she waved me off with the back of her hand.

'Thank you I was so afraid I would miss receiving ashes this year!' Our offering of imposing ashes takes my breath away and still there are opportunities that also allowed me this year, some measure of humor. Here are but a few quotes/scenarios I remembered from today. It poignantly lends the opportunity to truly gaze into the eyes of another’s desire to please God.

Honoring their own beliefs by blessing them symbolically, is a humbling experience. Along with the inquiries, the sincerest gratitude of strangers and friends, and the tears, there is the feeling of humility upon imposing the ashes. I’m reflecting amongst the many smiles and somber and serious faces out in the wind today, during our church’s Ashes To-Go.

Palmer imposition of ashes services