Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6: 16-21 Genesis 3:19
This year Ash Wednesday falls on St. Valentine’s
Day, February 14th. These two Christian observances, steeped in tradition, really don’t have too much in common beyond their religious roots.Valentine’s Day was named after St. Valentine, a thirdcentury martyr, and is all about romance with its emphasis on cards, candy, and flowers.
Ash Wednesday takes a more somber tone as the start of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving of Lent leading up to Easter. Christians commonly celebrate Ash Wednesday with ashes on their forehead and fasting to start the Lenten season. The practice reminds Christians of human mortality and the importance of reconciling with God. The early Christian church observed Lent over a sixweek period or 36 days with fasting except on Sundays. The practice was extended to 42 days in the 7th century to create 40 days of fasting that would emulate the fast of Jesus Christ while he was in the desert.
On Ash Wednesday, we Christians attend Ash Wednesday Services and many of us receive the imposition of the ashes. This tradition can hold very little meaning for some people. Sure, they hear the words the priest or the pastor says as the cross is drawn on their foreheads: “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel”); but that’s where it ends.
For some, the years gone by have erased the true meaning and symbolism behind the celebration of Ash Wednesday. The meaning of the ashes is realized as we recall what the palms were used for on Palm Sunday. On that day, Christ rode into the city, where He was welcomed by a large crowd of people who acclaimed Him as the Son of David
(thus calling him a king or the long-awaited Messiah). They used these branches as part of their make-shift procession, and even laid some at the feet of the donkey which carried Jesus. Today, the same palms we used on Palm Sunday are saved, and then burned to make the ashes for our Ash Wednesday Service.
This serves as a reminder that we all have moments of triumph, but also moments of utter failure. Just like the people of Jerusalem, we acclaim Him Lord and Messiah one day, and fall into sin the next day. The ashes, then, are a reminder that we will fall and are in need of His mercy.
When the sign of the cross is traced on our foreheads with the ashes, something amazing happens. It is as though the Lord takes our brokenness (represented by these ashes) and makes something beautiful out of it, the cross! The image of the cross, traced on our foreheads, reminds us also of the price paid for our redemption. Christ’s sacred blood was poured out for us, in that while we were still sinners, He died for us.
Furthermore, it teaches us humility. On one hand, I’ve seen many parishioners try to wipe off this cross as soon as they make it to the church parking lot.
Are we that ashamed of letting others know we are Christians, and that Ash Wednesday is of great liturgical importance to us?
On the other hand, we must not leave the cross on our foreheads just to say to our friends and neighbors look at me, I’m a righteous person, like Jesus warned against in St. Matthew’s Gospel. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6: 16-21)
Ashes symbolize several aspects of our human existence: Ashes remind us of God’s condemnation of sin, as God said to Adam: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19).
Ashes remind us of the shortness of human life, for it is said at a funeral: “earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” Ashes are also a symbol of our need to repent, confess our sins, and return to God. Ash Wednesday is just one day on which we come to the Lord, begging for His mercy and love. We ask Him to re-create us, as we can do nothing of our own strength.
We cannot have a future in which our children’s children may forget the true meaning of tradition such as Ash Wednesday and the purpose of the ashes. If you ask the average Christian, what is the meaning of Ash Wednesday, many could not tell you. Many are clueless as to the meaning of Ash Wednesday or what it begins, or leads to. If only a few are able to answer this question, how long do you think it will take before this tradition is done away within the church? Sadly, it has already begun. On this Ash Wednesday, wear your ashes with pride, and be not afraid to tell others why you have ashes (or, a black smudge) on your forehead.
The future of the Church depends on us adults. If we fail to hand down the faith to our children, how will they know? Who will teach them if not the people closest to them, their parents? Each one of us has an amazing teaching opportunity this Wednesday.
Let’s all pray that the message we bring to the next generation, will be one of faith, hope, and the love of God and our neighbor. Amen..
The Most Rev. Dr. Rick Aaron Reid, Presiding Bishop Traditional Anglican Church of America Rector, St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Newton, North Carolina 28658