Ashes to Go?

So here we are again: Ash Wednesday on the calendar and a number of Episcopal clergy standing on street corners offering “ashes to go.”  It’s hard to imagine actions in more direct conflict with the Bible readings for the day:

(Jesus said), “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.  But whenever 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.

And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret.”   St. Matthew 6:5-6, 16-18

So what do we have?  Clergy standing on street corners where they may be seen by others disfiguring by-passers faces so they may appear to others to be fasting!  Can someone explain this to me?