Ash Wednesday and Lent

The observance of the Wednesday before the First Sunday in Lent as the first day of Lent was introduced in the sixth century at Rome in order to make the Lenten fast exactly forty days, not counting the Sundays of the season.  As commemorations of Easter, these could not be fast days.

The name "Ash Wednesday" comes from the medieval custom of marking the heads of penitents with ashes of the palms that have been blessed on the preceding year's Palm Sunday.

There is a long history of using ashes as a sign which says, "I'm sorry," both in the Jewish and Christian worship. In ancient times of grief or tragedy, the people of Israel would tear their clothing as a sign of shame and cover themselves with ashes to symbolize that they were turning their lives around. This evening, as we enter the season of Lent, we will begin by hearing the words of the prophet Joel calling us to rend our heart and not our garments -- to change our lives inside, not just on the surface.

Ash Wednesday and the Lenten Season as a whole expose us to the entire mystery of what God has done for us in Christ. It is a time for self-examination and repentance, but it is also a time of waiting and anticipation for the coming of Easter.  For more thoughts and suggested Scripture references, click here.