A year ago on Ash Wednesday I put a small woven piece of
palm leaf around my wrist. And I wore that small crown of thorns through until
Sunset on Easter day. On Easter day I
exchanged the frail dried wreath of palm for a braid of silk threads. This reminder did not come off my wrist until
this Ash Wednesday when I unceremoniously clipped if off my wrist. As Easter
approaches of my 40 days with no crown of thorn or silk I find myself waxing
quixotic for the daily reminder.
You see those two small bindings on my wrist were a daily
reminder of my sins and God’s grace. For 40 days last year I bore the small
discomfort of a dried braid around my wrist. And for 40 days this year I bore
the great discomfort of not feeling the satin embrace of my Lord’s grace.
So when you ask me what I gave up for Lent next year I’ll
show you.
