Well this week starts the season of Lent; for those of you who don't know what that is I will try to explain the best as I can. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. Usually the ashes are burned from the previous years Palm Sunday leaves.
Lutherans, United Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Episcopalians and the United Church of Christ among other mainline denominations practice the Ash Wednesday and Lenten discipline.
The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. And of course where in the bible does it say that every practice must come from the bible?
Around 960 we read early church liturgy regarding the sprinkling of ashes for those of penitent rites. Ashes in scripture are used for mourning especially and of course when I practice and administer ashes; I use this time to ponder what sacrifice I chose to NOT make for the gospel sake and repent of that.
Why other churches such as the "inter or non denoms" have not yet picked this up is a wonder to me. They seem to be picking up regular weekly communion, will this be the next fad for them? Who knows.
Until next time, stop and thank God for His grace. Amen and Amen.
