Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season for Christians. Today is Ash Wednesday following the decadence of Fat (Shrove) Tuesday. I woke up to a breathtaking sunrise for Ash Wednesday to remind me of new beginnings. Before I go to church for Ash Wednesday, I decided to share a traditions and facts about this contemplative day.

When I go to church later, the priest will place black ashes on my forehead in a cross shape as a sign of my repentance. These ashes are derived from the Palm Crosses from last year's Palm Sunday, which are burned to create Ash Wednesday ashes. In some churches the ashes are also mixed with sacred anointing oils using during baptism. Sometimes the ashes are blessed with Holy Water.

When the ashes are applied to your forehead on Ash Wednesday, the minister or priest says a few words. These words might include:

Remember, O man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.

Genesis 3:19

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

Mark 1:15

Repent and hear the good news.

Mark 1:15

Services of worship or Masses each have their own traditions. Penitential psalms might be read and confession of sins might be part of the Ash Wednesday traditions. In the Catholic church, anyone can receive ashes on Ash Wednesday as opposed to Catholic sacraments reserved for church members.

As a Roman Catholic, we also fast, abstain from meat and repent. It is a day of self-denial and self-discovery. Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 typically eat only one meal with two very small meals during the day. Some fast on bread and water and do not eat any meals. If you are over 14, you do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday, every Friday during Lent and Good Friday.

During ancient times, ashes were used in the Bible to express mourning. To dust oneself with ashes was to express sorrow for your faults and sins.

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. The other eye wandereth of its own accord. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Job 42:3-6

Ash Wednesday is the start of a 40 day period representative of the 40 days Jesus went to the desert to pray and fast. It also related back in the Bible to the 40 days Moses fasted and repented after making the golden calf. Jews repent for 40 days during High Holy Days from Rosh Chodesh Elul to Yom Kippur.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 4:1-11

Ash Wednesday comes early this year on February 17 with Easter on April 4. Ash Wednesday is a moveable feast based on the date of Easter. Next year, Ash Wednesday falls much later on March 9. The earliest date Ash Wednesday ever falls is February 4 and the latest is March 10.

Did you know Ash Wednesday is also National No Smoking Day? According to Wikipedia, Ash Wednesday is also National No Smoking Day in the Republic of Ireland. The concept is connected to the idea of giving up something for Lent. I just pray my Irish hubby would quit smoking for Lent!

Will you be fasting and giving something up for Ash Wednesday and Lent?

Have a beautiful, blessed Ash Wednesday!