Participating in Ash Wednesday from Home: Tips for Teens
EC: Well, you can't participate in the imposition of ashes when you are not physically present at the service. Perhaps the best these days would be to watch an internet service from a confessional Lutheran church.
I think my church will have one on Facebook at 7:30 PM EST. Redeemer Lutheran Church, Burlington, NC.
Virtual Ash Wednesday Services
Thank you for asking this question and asking me to answer it for you. Since you won’t be able to attend physically, you can do several things to make you feel like you are participating in an Ash Wednesday Mass.
Reflecting on the Bible Readings
First, you need to read and reflect on the Bible readings for Ash Wednesday. You can focus on the following passages:
Old Testament: Joel 2:12–18 Psalm 51 New Testament: 2 Corinthians 5:20 to 6:2 Gospel of Matthew 6:1–6, 16, 18If you don't have a Bible, you can easily find it via Google.
Understanding the Significance of Ash Wednesday
To gain a deeper understanding of Ash Wednesday, you can explore resources like Type in 'Ash Wednesday' to find detailed information. Additionally, searching 'Ash Wednesday Mass February 14, 2024' on Google and following Father Mike Schmidt's insights can provide a comprehensive view of its significance.
Imagining the Ritual
Evolving the ritual in your mind is an important step. Imagine what the priest would tell you before applying the ashes to your forehead: 'REMEMBER YOU ARE DUST AND YOU WILL RETURN TO DUST' or 'REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND RETURN TO' or 'BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL.'
Then, cross your forehead in the sign of the cross.
Prayer and Faithful Living
Praying privately before the service and asking God to provide a way for you to receive ashes, or to provide a ride if it doesn't happen, is crucial. If it doesn't work out, pray in thanksgiving for the opportunity to become aware of missing the Catholic rituals that affirm the faith.
Engaging with the Faith Community
Ash Wednesday can seem like a man-made addition to a man-made church program. However, do not let it worry you. Instead, pray and ask God to help you find mature Christians you can fellowship with. This could be during lunch times at school or work.
Conclusion
God bless you for your faith and perseverance. If you do any of these things, please let me know how you feel. I will pray for you. Continue to persevere with your faith in our Lord and Savior.