On the day after Ash Wednesday, I overheard a student in one of my classes proclaim how bad he felt, because he didn’t receive ashes the day before. He also claimed he was going to hell or at least spending some extra time in purgatory for his actions, especially since he was Catholic.
I couldn’t help but chuckle and roll my eyes. Is this how we judge if others are religious, by if they receive ashes on Ash Wednesday or not? Don’t get me wrong, I find it important to go to Ash Wednesday service, get ashes, and really get in the humbling mindset that is present in Lent.
However, I don’t think my fellow student and many others understand that it doesn’t matter if one goes to get ashes or even proclaims a certain religion or denomination. What matters are one’s actions during and after these events.
This situation really got me wondering; what did it mean when my fellow student said he was Catholic? What does it mean when individuals affliate themselves with a certain denomination or religion? Does it mean they go to their house of worship every week and for special occasions? Does it mean they pray every night? Two times a day or every hour? Does it simply mean they give something up for Lent?
I think we’ve all met people that affiliate themselves with some religion or denomination, but you can’t help but wonder why they do. You question, what was the last time they went to their house of worship? When was the last time they prayed? When was the last time they picked up the Bible, Torah or Quran?
Should activities determine whether someone is religious or not? Should we look at how nice, truthful and just they are? What if they have all these characteristics, yet they are an atheist? Are they then any less religious?
There is not a set answer to these questions. I do have my own thoughts as I’m sure everyone else does. Even if someone was confirmed or baptized or raised a certain way, I don’t think it matters. What matters is if they practice what they preach and they believe in what they say. This is my view. Yet, who can truly say for sure what God’s opinion on the matter is.
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