Pope of Rome to Step Down

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Sorry for the double post ...

My mother received ashes this morning while in hospital. I'm sure she was thrilled to hear, "Remember, thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return." (Or whatever the current wording is.)

My father went to Mass this morning and received ashes. He washed them off before we went over to the hospital. I didn't think you were allowed to do that. Several nurses were walking around with ashes.

But I digress.......

Two possibilities as to what your mother heard - either "Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Maybe your mom got #2 - it would seem a little more appropriate to the setting! Hope she is improving and will be able to celebrate Easter outside of the hospital.

There's always a discussion about whether or not sporting your ashes all day is a form of "public prayer" specifically discussed in Matthew 6:5. Intelligent response I've heard is it depends on intent - if you wear your ashes to show what a good Christian you are - BAD. If you wear your ashes as a reminder of your mortality and sin , and to serve as a witness to your faith in humbleness of spirit and your need for God - GOOD.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

There's always a discussion about whether or not sporting your ashes all day is a form of "public prayer" specifically discussed in Matthew 6:5. Intelligent response I've hear is it depends on intent - if you wear your ashes to show what a good Christian you are - BAD. If you wear your ashes as a reminder of your mortality and sin , and to serve as a witness to your faith in humbleness of spirit and your need for God - GOOD.

I went to a new church last night and I did think it was a little ironic that the reading was the above passage from Matthew, and then we got ashes on our foreheads and were exhorted to make the sign of the Cross when appropriate (some Lutherans think this is just a little too Papist, some are way into it).

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I went to a new church last night and I did think it was a little ironic that the reading was the above passage from Matthew, and then we got ashes on our foreheads and were exhorted to make the sign of the Cross when appropriate (some Lutherans think this is just a little too Papist, some are way into it).

The Lutherans here do not get ashed lest they look too Catholic, so the sign of thecross is definitely out. Last year my husband went to Mass with me in the morning and we went to his church's night service and got a lot of side eye for our ashes.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

The Lutherans here do not get ashed lest they look too Catholic, so the sign of thecross is definitely out. Last year my husband went to Mass with me in the morning and we went to his church's night service and got a lot of side eye for our ashes.

Very interesting! We're Catholic, but my youngest child goes to a Lutheran preschool...they got ashes in chapel that morning!?!

ETA: Did anyone see Saturday Night Live? Hilarious commercial about a financial company specializes in retiring Popes.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/457655#i4,p0,d2

[33girl]

Originally Posted by shirley1929

Very interesting! We're Catholic, but my youngest child goes to a Lutheran preschool...they got ashes in chapel that morning!?!
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There are 3 different kinds of Lutherans, and different degrees of...well...being "down" with some of the Catholic aspects in the Church. Obvi GP's hubby's church is at one end, and your little one's is at the other.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by 33girl

There are 3 different kinds of Lutherans, and different degrees of...well...being "down" with some of the Catholic aspects in the Church. Obvi GP's hubby's church is at one end, and your little one's is at the other.

I was about to say, it depended on what flavor of Lutheran one was. And there are something like 28 different Lutheran denominations in the US, though only 3 or 4 big ones.

On a different note, related to this thread, I read that the Conclave might start earlier then is current Vatican law. I wonder if they will just ignore the law, or if the Pope will change it and then the new pope change it back.

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by 33girl

There are 3 different kinds of Lutherans, and different degrees of...well...being "down" with some of the Catholic aspects in the Church. Obvi GP's hubby's church is at one end, and your little one's is at the other.

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I was about to say, it depended on what flavor of Lutheran one was. And there are something like 28 different Lutheran denominations in the US, though only 3 or 4 big ones.

Where's that .jpg of "The More You Know" when you need it?! Thanks for the enlightenment - have learned a little bit about the Lutheran Church (at least the one the little ones have gone to!) but glad to know more. Our experience with it for the kids has been wonderful & seemingly similar enough, that has made it not confusing for the kids.

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

On a different note, related to this thread, I read that the Conclave might start earlier then is current Vatican law. I wonder if they will just ignore the law, or if the Pope will change it and then the new pope change it back.

Hmm...I'll leave the conspiracy theories to others, but it seems something is afoot!

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Two possibilities as to what your mother heard - either "Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Maybe your mom got #2 - it would seem a little more appropriate to the setting! Hope she is improving and will be able to celebrate Easter outside of the hospital.

I've never heard the second wording. I went to Catholic school for a few years, and we were always taken to Mass on Ash Wednesday, and we always got the "thou art dust" wording, with strict instructions not to wash or wipe off the ashes until we washed up before bedtime.

On a side note, the latest is that my mother will be discharged to a rehab facility this weekend.