Dust and Ashes-Ash Wednesday

“Create in me a pure heart,  O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Psalm 51           

“Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence marking the beginning of Lent. It is a day to embark on new beginnings in the faith and a time for returning to the Lord. On this day, we recall our mortality and wait upon the Lord for a renewing Spirit. This is a time for putting aside the sins and failures of the past in the light of who we are yet to become by the grace of God. It is a time to reflect upon our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.”

This is from the liturgy for Ash Wednesday as we prepare for the season of Lent.  Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Pancake and Pacski Day are different names for the day before this as a preparation for Lent. Shrove Tuesday is the day set aside to ensure that all the heavier oil and egg products would be eaten prior to experiencing the ashes upon one’s head marking the beginning of Lent on Wednesday. During Lent many people choose not to eat the heavier foods as we remember the time of Jesus preparation for ministry in the wilderness and eat less or no meat, fish on Fridays and on Sundays have a festival day. This routine for the forty days from Ash Wednesday to Easter enables people to reflect upon who they are as they walk with Jesus. It is also a time to renew one’s faith and to focus on spiritual growth.

What does Ash Wednesday remind us of? We are reminded that we were each created from God and  our life’s journey will end in our bodies dying and being returned to the ground. The ashes placed on foreheads by some of our brothers and sisters in Christ are the burned palm branches from last year’s palm branches and they remind us of Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem with shouts of Hosanna and how these shouts changed to crucify in just a few short days.

Ash Wednesday reminds us that we are to be humble before God and that we will one day die and need to be ready to see Jesus. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this Lenten season of self learning sharing and wonder. What is it that you are seeking in this Lenten journey?  

PRAYER: Loving God ashes remind us of destruction after fire and remnants of what was once alive. Help us this day to know who you are as we are reminded that one day we shall die and at that time of death we will be called to account for our lives.
During this season of Lent help us to draw closer to you, to seek your love and to grow with you as we walk together in faith and with hope. Be with us in the wilderness walk of faith. Amen.

BLOG QUESTION: One tradition for Lent is to give up something. A challenge is to do something different by giving to others. What will you give up or how will you give? And why is this important for you during this Lenten season.