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Crabtree: Ash Wednesday through the eyes of an Olympic chaplain

As Lent begins today, I personally wanted to attend an Ash Wednesday service. I knew what was in store, at least I thought I did.

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From the Winter Games: Ash Wednesday through the eyes of an Olympic chaplain

South Korea has been fertile ground for Christian missionaries for decades. Buddhism remains the largest sect of organized religion with Christianity growing daily. Driving into Gangneung at night from the media village a few miles away, at least a half dozen crosses trimmed with LED lights are easily spotted. The local United Methodist Church is huge and has lights all around.

Catholicism is also here, and has been for many years. Tucked away in downtown is Imdangdong Church. A small, older parish, reaching out to those visiting the Olympics and others by producing an app with the readings and lessons of the day in the language of their guests. Quite progressive for such a small parish so far from the country's capitol of Seoul.

As Lent begins today, I personally wanted to attend an Ash Wednesday service. The centuries old tradition of the imposition of ashes upon one's forehead as an outward sign of one's personal journey in preparation for Easter morning. The ashes often come from the burning of leaves from the preceding year's Psalm Sunday celebration. My research led me to Imdangdong.

As Lent begins today, I personally wanted to attend an Ash Wednesday service. I knew what was in store, at least I thought I did.

This service would also serve as a report I could produce for our Winter Games coverage on WRAL-TV.

I knew what was in store, at least I thought I did.

One of the great beauties of the Catholic and Anglican Church liturgies is no matter where you are in the world, no matter what language is being spoken, you understand the spiritual mechanics of what is happening. That was the case today.

Two things happened I was not expecting. First, the welcoming spirit, not only of the people who had gathered, but also the priest in charge. One of the first things he did as he rose to deliver the homily was to acknowledge our photographer Richard Adkins who was standing just right of the lectern.

The recognition was made with a smile and a gesture and he led the entire congregation in hearty applause as a welcome. (I asked Richard afterwards, "When was the last time someone applauded because we were there?" Four hours later he's still trying to remember when, if ever.) Hospitality is preached as a hallmark of the Christian faith, yet we know that's not always the case.

The service was beautiful. As sunlight bathed the sanctuary through the lens of stunning stained glass windows, people sang, prayed, confessed and offered themselves for the imposition of ashes with the somber and sobering reminder that no human can escape, no matter their lot in life, "remember you are but dust and to dust you shall return."

The priest was gentle but firm as he imposed the ashes on me and uttered those eleven words.

As Lent begins today, I personally wanted to attend an Ash Wednesday service. I knew what was in store, at least I thought I did.

The second surprise came as I left and began my work of interviews. The assisting priest of the service also serves as the German Olympic team Chaplain. Father Jurgen Hunten lives is Dusseldorf. He was ordained a priest 25 years ago. Affable, intellectual and joyous. We talked of the importance of the day and how Lent can serve as a "restart" to life. His answers were standard and solid.

Then I asked, "These athletes are so young. They've trained for years with their eye on the prize of a medal, preferably gold. How do you counsel them that winning is not everything, knowing not everyone can win and for every winner there is someone who didn't?"

He smiled and quickly declared, "That IS the question isn't it." He told me, "Of course they come here hoping to deliver ... I try and tell them, when they want to talk and are ready to listen, compete with all you have but realize there is more. More to relate to and more to understand about life, which hopefully is much longer than these or any Olympic games. When they listen, I know they understand. They may not always want to live that way at the moment, but I know I get to them."

A chaplain, here at the Olympic Games doing more than offering his counsel to athletes. Father Jurgen is also in Gangneung Village as an example of the light of his calling. May it shine brightly in South Korea, Germany and beyond.

As Lent begins today, I personally wanted to attend an Ash Wednesday service. I knew what was in store, at least I thought I did.

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