What is Ash Wednesday?

In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday is the first day and start of the season of Lent. However, Sundays are not included in the 40 day count. traditionally, Lent is a period of time that many Christians spend preparing for Easter by fasting, repentance, prayer, and meditation on God's word. Not all Christian churches observe Ash Wednesday. It's mostly observed by Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Anglican denominations. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister or priest will rub ashes on the forehead of believers in the sign of the cross.

While the Bible does not directly mention the observance of Lent or Ash Wednesday, there are some verses that account the practice of using ashes for mourning and repentance.

Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went. (2 Samuel 13:19)

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1)

Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. (Job 2:8)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. (Daniel 9:3)

"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (Matthew 11:21)

Many Christians, including myself, do not observe Ash Wednesday. Maybe this is a mistake. certainly, fasting, prayer, and preparation for the most holy Easter season must be a very good for our spiritual health.

by James Apple Jr.