Ash Wednesday: Concrete Solidarity | Sojourners

Ash Wednesday: Concrete Solidarity

Bible readings from the Revised Common Lectionary: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51; 2nd Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.

A fast is proclaimed. An assembly gathers, walking in procession to have ashes placed on their foreheads, while the refrain echoes, "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." The cross received is not to be dusted away as we go forth from the church. It is worn in solidarity. We rend our hearts to turn away from our sins -- self-centeredness, ecological insensitivity, and consumerism beyond our needs -- and to stand with the alien and marginalized, globally and in our midst.

How can the solidarity we feel