Ashes

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.

For politicians, this means going to church early in the morning (or sticking their finger in their fireplaces), and making as many public appearances as possible before the ashy cross on their forehead rubs off.

But why the ashes?

There are a few different references in the Bible to putting ashes on yourself when you're mourning or remorseful.

2 Samuel 13:19 - But now Tamar tore her robe and put ashed on her head.

Esther 4:1 - When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.

Daniel 9:3 - So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes.

Matthew 11:21 - "What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre or Sidon, their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their head to show their remorse.

But it also gives us an indication of whose we are. God told Adam in Genesis 3:19 that he was made from dust and that he will return to the dust. God made us. We are His.

For some, Ash Wednesday means the day they start their fast. It is the start of those dreadful forty days of giving something up for God. Lent. It makes us feel good pretending we can make sacrifices and feel suffering like Jesus did.

Don't get me wrong, this year I'm going all-out. I wouldn't miss out on this Lutheran tradition for the life of me. A chance to pretend I'm a little bit like Jesus? Chyeah! 

But what is Lent all about? In the context of the Church. In the context of our spirituality. Is it more than just "giving something up" for a period of time?

For most people it is a time of mourning. We know that Jesus is about to die on the cross. And we're sad. It is a preparation for the day of Jesus' death. These forty days are meant to be set aside for reflection Jesus Christ - His suffering and His sacrifice, His life, death, burial and resurrection.

So we mourn and we sacrifice. It's menial considering what Jesus did for us. But it's our way of saying, "thank You for being awesome, Jesus." And I think we should say that more often.


Jesus loves you,
Sarah