Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. My family will attend Mass this evening to receive ashes on our foreheads. I've been asked a few times why do some Christians do this symbolic act of distribution of ashes? The best explanation I found is from CatholicOnline.com:

Why we receive the ashes following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.

Lent gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God. Our Lord calls out to us, "Come back to me, with all of your heart". How will you answer Him? I've chosen to embrace a closer and more personal relationship with our Lord. For myself I want this Lent to be a time of disciplined self-examination and a reflection of what my faith means to me. If you thought about taking stock in where you stand with your relationship with God, you might find these questions helpful:

Am I sharing gladly what I have with others, especially the stranger and the poor?

Do I have a gracious and patient attitude with others, especially those who irritate me?

Do I feel the power of connection to God and the church in corporate worship?

How is my devotional and prayer life progressing?

Am I listening to God more and complaining less?

Is it time for a change or a growth in my Bible study and prayer life?

What are the lurking sin problems, which still plague me?

Am I as thoughtful and forgiving of family as others, or do I take my frustrations out on them?

Do I speak up for the maligned and oppressed, or do I remain silent in order to remain popular?

May God's peace and grace be with you and your family during this Lenten season!