Excuse Me, Why Do You Have Dirt on Your Forehead?

"Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return"

On Sunday, April 21st of this year, I will likely put on a colorful spring dress and prepare some type of side dish to take to my grandmother's luncheon after church. There will be egg hunting for the children filling with chocolate that hopefully does not melt in the sun. At church, joyous songs will be sung and people will come dressed in their very best. Easter will be a time for celebration and thanksgiving!

On Wednesday, March 6th of this year, I will not be dressed as bright and my heart won't be as celebratory. Exactly 46 days before Easter, it will mark Ash Wednesday. If you were raised in a traditional denomination like me, it might be common to see others you know walking around with a black cross upon their forehead. While some denominations do not celebrate the Ash Wednesday tradition, I would like to take the time and explain it to those who might not be as familiar.

When did Ash Wednesday Begin?

Ash Wednesday has been celebrated for more than 11 centuries, beginning the tradition around 325AD. At the Council of Nicaea, the church decided upon a 40-day fast period to celebrate Lent. In the year 601, Pope Gregory moved the beginning of Lent from the fourth Sunday of the year to Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter. Why, you ask? This allowed for 40 days of fasting with six Sundays that are considered feast days.

Did Ash Wednesday Come From the Bible?

The honored day of preparation is not specifically mentioned in the Bible. In the Bible, however, people are mentioned using dust and ashes to symbolism repentance from sin. Scriptures also describe the type of fast that Jesus himself endorsed in Matthew 6:16-21 (which is usually the Gospel reading in most churches during this service).

If it's not in the Bible, why is it important?

Ash Wednesday on the liturgical calendar sets the stage for Lent, a season of fasting, prayer, reflection, and preparation. The ashes are created from palm branches that have been blessed and used to celebrate Palm Sunday. While the ashes symbolize repentance and self-reproach, they are also a reminder that God is full of Grace.

What Ash Wednesday Means to Me

I remember being a child, attending the Ash Wednesday service in my school clothes, giggling at my family members who had ashes placed on their foreheads. Some crosses were a little smudged and out of shape. Some of my family members would accidentally rub their foreheads, forgetting it was there. I didn't really understand the concept when I was younger, and didn't look forward to the service because it seemed so solemn and sad.

Now that I'm older, I enjoy hearing the scriptures that are read and later reflecting on what they mean. I am appreciative of the history of the tradition and why we celebrate the day in the Liturgical Calendar. To me, the Ashes that will be placed on my forehead tomorrow will be a physical symbol showing me that it's time to take a step back, reflect, and await the day that Jesus will defeat death. The ashes are a simple, but Holy reminder that we are all full of sin. Lent marks a time of self-awareness, self-searching, and self-examination in order to prepare for the gift that God has given us through Easter.

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

I encourage you to attend an Ash Wednesday service tomorrow, no matter your denomination. If you have any questions regarding the sacred day, the Lenten season, or anything else regarding Faith, please feel free to send me a message.