How To Respond To "happy Ash Wednesday"

[Adrestia]

Every year a few random people wish me a happy Ash Wednesday. In the past, when I tried to explain that "have a happy" is not the appropriate greeting for Ash Wednesday, they seemed to not care.

Do y'all have any ideas?

[MIKolbe]

say thank you and go on with your day?

[sidemunch88]

Good call MIkolbe

[Lisa]

Respond something like "Have a blessed day?" Then it could be casual/normal but also could emphasize that it's not a happy-go-lucky occasion.

[Lil Red]

it's not happy in the spirit of the world, but happy in the spirit of the world to come.

[i<3LSOP]

Just smile. It's all I do.

[let_go_let_God]

I think of it as, not looking gloomy as the hypocrites. (See today's Gospel) That, yes it is time for fasting and preparation, we mark ourselves as such. However, even with a giant cross of ash on my head, I'm going to smile and share the joy of Christ with those I meet today. I look at it like this, what good is a journey unless you are looking forward to the end?

God bless-
LGLG

[kujo]

[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=4]Agreed with [color=#000000]mikolbe. They're just trying to be nice. Don't let a lack of knowledge of the semantic eccentricities of Catholicism get in the way of you being appreciative. [/color][/size][/font]

Edited February 22, 2012 by kujo

[arfink]

[quote name='i<3LSOP' timestamp='1329921975' post='2391117']
Just smile. It's all I do.
[/quote]

I would say "Thanks. I'll fast for the salvation of your soul today."

[fides' Jack]

Hm... Let's see...

So they are acting in a way that is incorrect but which you understand.

You could respond in a way that is correct but which they don't understand, like "I hope you die a martyr's death."

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1329919812' post='2391109']
it's not happy in the spirit of the world, but happy in the spirit of the world to come.
[/quote]

Right. It's "happy" in the same way Good Friday is good.

[Adrestia]

Of course I'm appreciative. If I was in their position, I would want to be corrected. I'm just looking for a gentle way to do it. Thanks for the ideas.

[fides' Jack]

I was just kidding, btw; don't do my idea...

[MissyP89]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' timestamp='1329940417' post='2391298']
Right. It's "happy" in the same way Good Friday is good.
[/quote]

"O happy fault! O necessary sin of Adam that gained for us so great a Redeemer!"

[Adrestia]

Darn, I really wanted to use Jack's idea. :sadwalk:

[Hubertus]

Also, there is some joy to be had in uniting your suffering with Christ, isn't there? That's kind of the way I look at it. I've been looking forward to Lent!

[Groo the Wanderer]

reply 'and with your spirit!'

[fides quarens intellectum]

[quote name='Adrestia' timestamp='1329915351' post='2391063']
Every year a few random people wish me a happy Ash Wednesday. In the past, when I tried to explain that "have a happy" is not the appropriate greeting for Ash Wednesday, they seemed to not care.

Do y'all have any ideas?
[/quote]

[Norseman82]

You could respond "Have a lousy Lent".


(Believe it or not, that was reportedly said in jest by a priest in an Ash Wednesday homily).

[quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1329940244' post='2391290']
"I hope you die a martyr's death."
[/quote]

That might work with Klingons!

[Ice_nine]

Kick them in the balls/ovaries






I'm pretty sure it's what Jesus would do