Ashes to Go

That Catholics connaturally sense they should begin Lent by receiving ashes within Mass speaks far more about the sensus fidei, sensus fidelium, and the Catholic understanding of blessing in relation to liturgy than seven-minute “conversations in the Spirit” synodally compressed into two-week “listening sessions” ahead of Synod on Synodality: Part II. ...So, what is happening with these “ashes to go?” It means some Episcopalian sits around for two hours in the morning to impose ashes on demand; or, you drop in, pick up a packet, and do it yourself; or, worst of all, you simply zoom into the parking lot, get ashed, and go. Can you throw in a hot coffee with that, in the name of “hospitality?” None of this is liturgical. It sends a message: Lent can’t interrupt our lives.