Mardi Gras Hangover Day

So today is the assigned hangover day for Mardi Gras, some people call it Ash Wednesday.  It's this strange custom that Catholics have where they go to mass on a Wednesday and get ashes (looks like dirt) smudged on their foreheads.  It's supposed to be in the shape of the cross, but obviously some priests never learned finger painting.  Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance, which is always good in my book, especially because you're probably feeling guilty about ogling those boobies the day before.  There's just one small problem I've noticed, and it has to do with listening comprehension.  The gospel for the day is from Matthew chapter 6: (emphasis mine)

1	"Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2	"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
3	But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4	so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5	"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6	But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16	"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
17	But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18	that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

  So it goes.  Many Catholics who are feeling extra pious today will leave the ash on their forehead all day in direct contradiction of the gospel.  I don't know how plainer I can make this.  I feel like either people don't listen to anything when they are at Church (which is true of a lot of people) or they don't let the readings into any rational portion of their minds.  It's quite simple, but the Catholic Church and most other Christian denominations are completely disregarding this reading.  If they truly followed Jesus, then there would be no churches, no temples, no cathedrals, and certainly no Ash Wednesday.  If every Christian followed this passage to the line like they claim they do, then I don't think you would be seeing such a strong push back by atheists and agnostics.

Also, head over to Digital Consciousness for Michael's coming out post!