From ashes to fire

As we begin the holy season of Lent, my favorite way to describe the season is by Nora Gallagher who quotes “it is a journey from ashes to fire.”

The Lenten season starts with ashes and I read that the Episcopal church was taking ministry to the streets and were going to be in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh distributing ashes to any pilgrim who so desired.

I thought it was an excellent way to begin Lent and in the early afternoon I made it a point to start my journey in this holy season by walking from the North Side to downtown for the distribution of ashes.

When I arrived, there in the center of Market Square was an Episcopal clergywoman in a purple cassock and a male priest in a white robe with a purple stole. There was not a great crowd although as I approached a young woman went to the female priest. The other priest came over to me, introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Dorsey McConnell.”

“Hi, “I said to him, “I would like to have the woman priest distribute the ashes, kind of a clergywoman thing.” You see it was not that long ago that the Episcopal Church began ordaining women and I wanted to show my sisterly support.

The priest very graciously smiled, told me the cleric’s name and moved quietly away.
Before I had a chance to move forward, someone came over to the woman cleric and began chatting. Noting the time, I motioned to the male priest and waved him over. “I’m good with you; let’s go ahead, if you will.”

The priest, a very gentle man with kind eyes and an easy smile, laughed slightly, took my hand, and asked me my name, “Sally,” I said.
“Really?” replied the priest. I nodded. “That was my mother’s name,” he said, “and I don’t hear it too often anymore and it is such a rare and beautiful name.”

Great moment.

First, to be reminded of mothers in a most unexpected way and on a day of spiritual significance is always a blessing as it recalls my own mother, a woman of a steady and deep river faith.

Secondly, the season of Lent is a journey to find out who one is, to reflect, to listen, to come to find anew the Divine spark at one’s center and to breathe that spark into fire. Being reminded of mine (and yours) “unrepeatable once-ness” by noting my name was gift and affirmation on the start of this journey.

One last part of the tale, while I was walking back, I realized that the kindly and gentle priest whom distributed the ashes and with whom I had just shared this moment was Bishop McConnell of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Yep, that’s right; I initially blew-off the Bishop.

Grace abounds.

May this be so for you this day, this season, and always.

sj;