Ash Wednesday, the Hospital, and Why I love New Yorkers

Lent has begun.

I began mine at the hospital. No worries, didn't get hurt or anything. I accompanied a Brother seminarian to the hospital for a broken nose. We joked. 

"You're going to get plastic surgery..."

Then the joking comes to a halt at the Emergency Room entry (for those uninitiated in Italian highways and byways, in some ways - especially in the field of medicine - it's a 3rd World Country). The long cooridor/waiting room was not designed by Bernini, Michelangelo, nor company. Frankly, I could have done a better job. 

As the waiting continued on we saw the comings and goings: a nun with a neck-brace on a stretcher coming in from an ambulance, elderly in pain, a woman perhaps considering an abortion. Alone and in the midst of the crowd I stepped outside for a bit of prayer in the cold fresh air. I stepped into the mortuary next door...

Praying my rosary has always been the highlight of the day. I neared the visiting rooms (drab, also from the Cold War era). I peeked into the final room. There she lay. There was one single deceased awaiting transferal to the Funeral Home. I was alone. I prayed the rosary on my knees. As the mysteries came to a close the family came in and I stepped out. Antonia, May you rest in the Peace of God's Mercy.

Then the purple Mass. It always hits me to see violet in the Chapel. It's like a STOP sign. Then again violet has also been a royal color. The homily centered on contrition and conversion. Lord, forgive me for my failures. Help me to turn to you.

Ash Wednesday Mass
"Thou art dust and to dust you shall return." (Gen 3:19) or "Convert, and believe in the Gospel" (Mk 1:15)
Ashes are applied "Roman style" having it sprinkled on the head rather than smeared on the forehead

This morning someone offered me Hershey Kisses. I readily accepted. 

He asked, "Didn't you give it up for Lent?" 

I replied, "We never have it any way."

Sure, Lent is for 'giving-up' things but beyond that it's for 'Giving'. It is a period to remember the one who gave first, Jesus. Only He can be the solution to our problems. One beloved friend from NY posted on Facebook: 

"If I were an actively practicing Catholic, I would give up vodka and Netflix for Lent. But thankfully, I am not. The end."

I had a good laugh. But 'giving-up' the way we've always learned it seems more applicable for parents trying to control their children (not that that's so bad...I wish some parents exercised their authority a bit more...Firmly). That's why I love New Yorkers. They are known for their 'in-your-face' attitudes - sort of as St. Paul encountered the Corinthians of his time (and sort of as the Corinthians encountered in St. Paul). 

Eduardo Verastegui (after Bella became an adopted NYer)

One priest once told me while celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass in New York City a New Yorker commented during the distribution of the Ashes,

"Father, I want you to put the Cross on me Dark and Thick."

So that's why I like New Yorkers. While in Rome they gently 'sprinkle ashes' on your head in Rome New Yorkers want their cross "dark and thick"...may your Lenten Cross be 'dark and thick' so as to reach the Light of Easter. God bless!