Ash Wednesday: Season of Lent, Symbol of Repentance, Forgiveness

February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent for Christians. Christians around the world celebrate this season to mark the beginning of six and a half weeks (40 days) of repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for the most important Christian festival of Easter. By definition, the season of Lent is the time of preparation for Holy Week, leading up to Easter. With Ash Wednesday, we begin our yearly preparation for our baptismal renewal on Easter. This year Ash Wednesday will be starting of 22 February 2012. The date of Ash Wednesday varies each year according to the date of Easter. The earliest possible date of Ash Wednesday is 4 February and the latest possible date is 10 March.

As a comparative study of the Lent of 40 days,  we read in the Old Testament that it rained forty days and nights during the Great Flood (Genesis 7:12), Moses communed with God on Mount Sinai for forty days before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:18), the people of Israel were forced to wander in the wilderness for forty years (Numbers 14:33-34),) Elijah journeyed for forty days before he reached Mount Horeb and had a vision of God (1 Kings 19:8-9), Jonah 3:6 states: "When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust." and the inhabitants of Nineveh fasted and repented for forty days in response to the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:4-5).  The prophet Daniel speaks of seeking the Lord for the release of his people from Babylonian exile with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes (Daniel 9:3).

The outstanding instances of the number forty in the New Testament are the account of Christ’s ordeal in the desert fasting, praying, and being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; and Luke 4:1-13) before the beginning of His public ministry and His various appearances to the apostles and others between His resurrection and ascension during which He strengthened their faith and prepared them for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3).

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. When studying Ash Wednesday history, ashes are often considered to be a symbol of man's mortality and represent an attitude of humility, sorrow, and repentance (Genesis 18:27). The solemn proceedings that occur on Ash Wednesday bring the focus back to the sacrifice of Christ and the mission of the Church. The observance most likely comes from the Biblical Day of Atonement. In Leviticus 16, the Lord establishes an annual day of repentance for the Israelites as a lasting ordinance for all their generations. Since the blood of Jesus represents atonement, the heart of Ash Wednesday is a humbling of oneself through fasting and prayer. The custom was even recorded during Biblical times of people humbling themselves with sackcloth and ashes.

It is essentially a gesture of humility, which means: I recognize myself for what I am, a frail creature, made of earth and destined to the earth, but also made in the image of God and destined to him. Dust, yes, but loved, molded by love, animated by his vital breath, capable of recognizing his voice and of responding to him; free and, because of this, also capable of disobeying him, yielding to the temptation of pride and self-sufficiency. This is sin, the mortal sickness that soon entered to contaminate the blessed earth that is the human being. Created in the image of the Holy and Righteous One, man lost his own innocence and he can now return to be righteous only thanks to the righteousness of God, the righteousness of love that  as St. Paul writes — was manifested “through faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22). Though God is all merciful, all powerful and all forgiving, God is also holy, righteous and just.

Thus Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this forty days liturgical period of prayer and fasting. Ashes are something that is left when something is burned. Using ashes to mark the cross on the believer's forehead symbolizes that through Christ's death and resurrection, thus all Christians can be free from sin. This is the great faith that practice is common in much of Christendom, being celebrated by Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and some Baptist denominations around the world.

Now let us see the requirement for fasting on Ash wednesday are: Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. In addition, all Catholics 14 years old and older must abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Some food (not equaling another full meal) is permitted at breakfast and around midday or in the evening—depending on when a person chooses to eat the main or full meal.

Abstinence forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are not forbidden. So it is permissible to use margarine and lard. Even bacon drippings which contain little bits of meat may be poured over lettuce as seasoning.

The Bishops of each regions specially quote the teaching of the Holy Father (Pope)concerning the seriousness of observing these days of penance. The obligation to do penance is a serious one; the obligation to observe, as a whole or "substantially," the days of penance is also serious. But no one should be scrupulous in this regard; failure to observe individual days of penance is not considered serious. Moral theologians remind us that some people are excused from fasting and/or abstinence because of sickness or other reasons.

Most importantly In his "Apostolic Constitution on Penance," Pope Paul VI did more than simply reorganize Church law concerning fast and abstinence. He reminded us of the divine law that each of us in our own way do penance. We must all turn from sin and make reparation to God for our sins. We must forgive and show love for one another just as we ask for God's love and forgiveness. Attending Mass daily or several times a week, praying the rosary, making the way of the cross, attending the parish evening prayer service, teaching the illiterate to read, reading to the blind, helping at a soup kitchen, visiting the sick and shut-ins and giving an overworked mother a break by baby-sitting—all of these can be even more meaningful and demanding than simply abstaining from meat on Friday.

For Christians, ashes are a symbol of being sorry for things they have done wrong and want to get rid of forever. It is also a reminder to them that we all come from ashes and to ashes we all will return. For Christians, the marking on the forehead with ash marks the commitment to Jesus Christ son of God and God the Father of All Mankind. They wanted to show God that they were sorry for the wrong things they had done in the past year. Using a mark on the forehead as a sign of commitment is also used in many Middle Eastern as well as Eastern cultures where a round, colored circle is marked on the forehead.

As such to observe this Ash Wednesday many Christians will attend a religious service .At Masses and services of worship on this day, ashes are blessed by the Priest an imposed on the foreheads of the faithful (or on the tonsure spots, in the case of some clergy). The priest, minister, or in some cases officiating layperson, marks the forehead of each participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshipper traditionally retains until it wears off. Christians believe this marks the physical and spiritual beginning of Lent season in which 40days of repentance will begin leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday.  The actual moment and tradition when the forehead is marked of throwing ashes over one's head to signify the beginning of lent for each individual person repentance before God (as related in the Bible). The priest or minister says one or both of the following when applying the ashes: “Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.”

In churches the priest first burns the palm that have been kept from last year's Palm Sunday and then mixes the ashes of these crosses with holy water (which has been blessed) to make a greyish paste. When people go to church on Ash Wednesday, the priest dips his thumb in the paste and uses it to make the sign of the cross on each person's forehead. Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, so when the crosses used in the last years Palm Sunday service are converted to ashes, worshippers are reminded that defeat and crucifixion swiftly followed triumph.

In an old Ash Wednesday tradition, penitents who had committed grave sins would come wearing shifts made from rough cloth or animal hair. The priest would bless them and sprinkle ashes over them while they recited the Seven Penitential Psalms. The penitents would leave the church and for the next forty days strive for repentance and absolution. They would then return on Maundy Thursday (Nimano or last Brestar-and-receive-Communion-from-the-priest. 
 
One of the major tenets of the Christian faith is living one's life with humility and repentance. For many Christians, the origins of Ash Wednesday are the annual reminder of where our hearts should be in relation to God, and of the reason Jesus became our atonement.

Last but not the least that Jesus Christ put all the ten beautiful Commandments of God are put in one single beautiful statement that What we call the Greatest Commandment by (Jesus Christ)son of God that First Love thyself and love your neighbor so that we say that we love God. So at least during this period let us focus our lives in this direction to Love God and our neighbor perfectly. Above all let us start this Ash Wednesday as a preparation of the Great feast of Easter. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead and live with the faith that one day we all rise and live with God for ever. Let it be. Wish all the readers a fruitful season of lent.

This article is helping and a reflection for us Christians in particular during this lent season and all other faiths in general, let the peace of Lord Jesus Christ among all mankind from above. Wish all the readers a fruitful and happy season of lent.

 

Alban D'Souza Archives:

 

Compiled by Alban D'Souza
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Comment on this article

  • A. S. Mathew, U.S.A.

    Thu, Feb 23 2012

    When I called my friend from
    Chennai, he mentioned Ash Wednesday
    and I when I read the article, it
    gave me a whole lot of information.

    Excellent article touching the
    spiritual and historical aspects
    of a Biblical subject.

  • Brian Charles D'souza, Manglore/Kuwait

    Thu, Feb 23 2012

    Lenten season is to review the suffering and understand what Jesus had done to us, for our sins he suffered and crucified, let it be better off, everyone thinks this as a repentance and forgive the past and lead a good life which is acceptable and not hurting others in any aspect. May God bless each and every one not only during lent but all through

  • shaila, brahmavar

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    thank you for the wonderful article.....fruitful season of lent

  • joegonsalves, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter.

    With this in mind…let us read a reflection by William Arthur Ward entitled
    Fasting and Feasting.

    Lent should be more than a time of fasting. It should be a joyous season of feasting. It is a season in which we should:

    Fast from judging others feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
    Fast from emphasis on differences feast on the unity of all life.
    Fast from thought of illness feast on the healing power of God.
    Fast from words that pollute feast on the phrases that purify.
    Fast from discontent feast on gratitude.
    Fast from anger feast on patience.
    Fast from pessimism feast on optimism.
    Fast from worry feast on hope.
    Fast from complaining feast on appreciation.
    Fast from negatives feast on affirmatives.
    Fast from bitterness feast on forgiveness.
    Fast from self-concern feast on compassion for others.
    Fast from discouragement feast on hope.
    Fast from suspicion feast on truth.
    Fast from thoughts that weaken feast on promises that inspire.

  • Deidre Jones, Maryland

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Thank you

  • Louis, Kuwait

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Nice article. God bless Daijiworld. When we do fasting it should be of 24hrs. From yesterday night dinner till today night dinner nothing should be taken except water. Have a nice fast. I had a seminar since 3 days with UNIDO (united Nations Industrial Development Organization) at Kuwait ministry of Public Authority for Industry. Wonderful break fast n lunch was served
    but I could not have anything today bcz of Ash Wednesday. One days sacrifice for Jesus no big issue.

  • Ronald A., Bejai,mangalore

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Nice article.
    Actual days from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday is 45 but why it is called 40 days?
    Can somebody explain or guide us.

  • Charles Mendonca, Manipal/Jeddah

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    A Very good article which reminds us of  wordings of Bible. Thanks to Alban for reminding every christian of their spiritual life.

  • Nelson DSouza, Mumbai

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Please Lord, I repent my sins and ask for your forgiveness, and heal me with your spirit.

  • Fredrick Correa, Pernal/Mumbai

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Though there are 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, the 6 Sundays were exempt from the lenten season as Sunday was considered a day of celebration of the resurrection of our Lord.
    Thanks for the article.

  • John Maxim D'souza, KULUR , MANGALORE, DUBAI

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Thanks daiji world for the imformation about ash wednesday , may god give all of us strength to fasting , sacrifysing & repantace in this holy 40 days. god bless you all daiji world members

  • Rudy Fernandes, Abudhabi

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    A very good and informative article
    highlighting the importance and significance of Ash Wednesday.
    Many thanks for educating us on the significance of penance and lent. God Bless.

  • RTN MICHAEL MATHIAS SHIRVA ROTARY, PILAR SHIRVA

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    very good article.wish u all catholics holy ash wednesday.

  • Peeya, Pune

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    very informative and interesting!! It probably answered all my questions... Thank u & God Bless u...

  • Joprashanth, vorkady

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    ಭೊಗೊಸ್ ಸೊಮ್ಯಾ ಆಮ್ಚಿಂ ಪಾತ್ಕಾಂ....Thank u Daiji fr publishing the article.., I Wish all Catholics Holy ash Wednesday

  • Suzanne Pereira, Kallianpur / Abu Dhabi

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Nice article. Wishing you all a blessed Lenten season.

  • Ryan, M'lore

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Informative & Beautiful write up.........

  • Dr Urban D'Souza, Udyavar/Malaysia

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    A good article highlighting the importance and significance of Ash Wednesday. Being Chritsians, many a time our faith and duty ends as sunday catholics as many a time scriptures are rituals than a practice. We all are absorbed heavily with our worldy life and forget our divine duties. A very good article speaking the depth knowledge of the author and indeed congratulate him for educating us on the significance of penance and lent.

  • Shiju, Bangalore

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    A nice write-up regarding Ash Wednesday and Lent. Not only gives information to non-Christians but also gives a lot of insight to Christians too. Great work Mr. Alban D'Souza.

  • GERALD, Modankap-Bantwal

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    THANK YOU DAIJI FOR PUBLISHING THE ARTICLE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL : "PRAISE THE LORD"

  • lobo, Managlore

    Wed, Feb 22 2012

    Good one. Wish all Catholics Holy ash Wednesday


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Title: Ash Wednesday: Season of Lent, Symbol of Repentance, Forgiveness



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