Ash Wednesday: Lent is Coming!

One of my favorite days on the Church calendar is coming. Ash Wednesday. As my mother eats the last of her St Valentine’s chocolates and prepares to give them up, I know Lent is approaching. Lent holds a very special place in my spiritual life. I just love it. As priests put on their purple vestments and the chants and hymns take on a more solemn tone, I feel ready to enter the spiritual desert. Though nowadays Lent has become very watered down, with only 2 mandatory fasting days, I encourage you to do more and perhaps look to the lenten traditions of the Church in doing so. To help get you into the Lent spirit I am going to write about some Church Tradition to do with Ash Wednesday and Lent as a whole. 

First I want to present to you some relevant Scripture quotes that show where the tradition of the ashes comes from. Now there are many quotes that mention ashes, almost all of which in regards to a person putting them on in penance for sins. Here are two instances of it:

“Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.” Job 42:6 “And I set my face to the Lord my God, to pray and make supplication with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.” Daniel 9:3 (Douay Rheims Version)

Those are just two of many examples of repenting with “sackcloth and ashes” found in the Scriptures. It was common practice to place ashes on the head as a sign of doing penance for sin in the Old Testament. This practice did not suddenly stop with the coming of Christ of course. In the early days of the Church the practice of publicly repenting with sackcloth and ashes was maintained. The Church in Her wisdom then later incorporated this practice into the liturgy for all Christians, since all should be doing penance in Lent. 

One part that I especially love about Ash Wednesday is the traditional prayer said when the ashes are being applied to the faithful. That is “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.”. This prayer is almost a direct quote from Genesis 3:19 and is a profound reminder that, one day, we all truly shall be dust. This memento mori style spirituality is very important. It keeps the Christian focused not on this life but the life that is to come. That hardcore biblical spirituality is what we are called to for the 40 days of Lent. 

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. By this good beginning of receiving ashes we should be encouraged to engage in those three pillars of Lent. Certainly consider not just giving something up but perhaps adding some prayers to your day. Fast to the extent that you are able. This means not just doing the bare minimum but making legitimate sacrifices. Give up dessert or snacks perhaps, and be realistic with yourself. Give alms also to good causes. Perhaps look into good religious orders that are in need of funds. I know there are a few traditional orders out there in need to extend their facilities for their new vocations. These Traditional Carmelite Hermits are one group in need. These Nuns are also engaged in quite the building project of a monastery in Pennsylvania. The point is, this Ash Wednesday begins Lent. Engage with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray, fast, and give alms. Get your ashes and go forth to prepare for the coming of the Lord.