Ash Wednesday Begins Lent
Ash Wednesday Kicks off Lent - a Time of Fasting, Penance and Prayer
Feb 18, 2007
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the 40 day Lenten season for Roman Catholics. Those outside the faith may associate this day with seeing friends and colleagues with black smudges on their foreheads. Another well known association is Mardi Gras in New Orleans – a time of reveling that culminates with Fat Tuesday, one last party before strict Lenten guidelines go into effect.
But for Roman Catholics the world over, Lent is a time of special reflection, penitence and for most, fasting, in preparation for Easter Sunday, the day celebrating Christ’s resurrection.
Why Ashes?
Ashes are used on our foreheads to remind us that we will return to the dust from which we are made. It is a reminder to be humble. The actual ashes are made from palm branches used during the previous year’s Palm Sunday services.
According to Catholic Online, the tradition of ashes is a long one. It has its roots in the more public penance of times past. Some serving a public penance would wear hair shirts for 40 days that were sprinkled with ashes. After that time had passed, they would return and all who had sinned in public or private would be received into the church.
Lenten Message
In this year’s Lenten Message, His Holiness Benedict XVI instructed that Catholics should reflect on the following passage, “They shall look on Him whom they have pierced,” (JN 19:37). The Pope requests that we focus on Mary and John who remained steadfastly at the side of Jesus and watched as he died on the cross.
The Pope also quotes John 12:32, “When I am lifted up from earth I will draw all men to myself.” The Pope explains that “The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all that we welcome His love.” But that isn’t enough. The Pope also states that “We need to respond to such love and devote ourselves to communicating it to others.”
It is during Lent, a time for special reflection, penance and fasting, that we should not only seek God’s love and mercy but endeavor to reflect it to all we encounter.
