I'll Have a Burger & Fries With That

Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of the Lenten season. My church, in addition to several masses and services, held a drive-thru ash distribution today. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I had to experience it before I posted about it.

It was exactly as you might imagine. You drive up, roll down your window, and the priest says a couple of words and places the sign of the cross with ashes on your forehead. Done.

As you continue the drive, there was a "contribution" bucket. Considering it was quite chilly and cloudy today, I'm going to assume the contributions will be flowing. Thank you for standing out in the cold to distribute ashes to us lazy people who can't get our butts in the pews.

In all honesty, it's an excellent idea for the elderly or sick or those of us with young children who can't manage to sit still or be quiet for 30 minutes. At the same time, I feel like I cheated or someone got short-changed. Everything in our society is moving in the direction of quicker, faster, easier. It's like the confession app. What is going on with the church? What happened to the stern rules? The required attendance? The fear of God? Now you can pick up your lunch and be saved from sin all while sitting in your car. It just doesn't seem right.