My thumb has the remnants of last evening’s Ash Wednesday’s ashes still imbedded in the swirls of my fingerprint. The discoloration will stay there for a few days, but eventually will wear off. It is important that the stain of the ashes stay with me for a few days. The purpose of the ashes is to remind me of my sin and need for forgiveness. The stain that remains on my thumb is a subtle reminder that those of us who are charged with the imposition of the ashes, as well those who receive the ashes, are frail children of dust, constantly in need of forgiveness and reconciliation with God and our sisters and brothers.

 

There is a tradition around the Lenten season of “giving something up for Lent.” The idea is that Christ sacrificed his life for us and we should make some sacrifice in turn. Unfortunately, the practice of giving something up for Lent easily becomes less a spiritual discipline and merely the rote performance of a duty without much depth of meaning. For example, we give up eating sweets for the forty days of Lent, not because it is a spiritual sacrifice, but because we want to shed a few pounds. Not exactly a spiritual discipline.

 

Let me suggest that rather than practicing piety without commitment, we dare to add a spiritual discipline to our observance of Lent. Paul told the Corinthians that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a Emphasis added)

 

What difference would it make in my life if I found practical ways to put on love and put off bigotry? Joy is found in counting God’s blessings, rather than complaining about my lack and others’ abundance. Comparisons always steal our joy!

Peace is a choice I make that overcomes anger and reconciles me with God and others. In our culture it seems that kindness has been replaced with arrogance and rudeness. Would it kill me to open a door or say please?

If I practice generosity my commitment is not to attain great wealth, but to make sure my neighbor isn’t hungry or cold. If I am faithful in my commitment to love God and others as myself I will live into what Jesus referred to as the greatest commandment.

Gentleness is the Greek word prautēs; which means mildness, humility, meekness. It is the ability to be merciful when we have the opportunity for revenge and vindictiveness. It looks like God’s Son dying so I don’t have to. Would the world be a gentler place if I practiced self-control rather giving vent to my anger? Does my anger witness to the life I proclaim in Christ?

My thumb will eventually be clean again, but the reminder of my sin and need for reconciliation with God and others is an ongoing commitment to put on the fruits of the spirit.