Ash Wednesday Reflections (Part 1)

For many Western Christians, yesterday was the first day of the Lenten Season.  It is commonly referred to as Ash Wednesday; also known as the Day of Ashes.  On this day Christians have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.  In the Anglican Church, before the imposition of ashes, the officiating priest says the following prayer: “Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.”  This prayer helps us to understand how the observance of Ash Wednesday can benefit the spiritual formation of God’s people.

First of all, as the prayer notes, the ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality. When the priest dips his thumb into the ashes and marks our forehead with them, the following words are spoken, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Serious words indeed. For one, they call us to remember that life is transient; we are dust. Secondly, they call us to remember that death is inevitable; to dust we shall return. Anyone who has attended a funeral has been reminded of these things. But afterwards, who has not hugged their spouse more affectionately, spoken to their children more lovingly, or given thought to ways they can better their life? Considering the shortness of life can be an opportunity for us to gain wisdom. As Scripture says, 

“The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong; even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away…So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” - Psalm 90:10, 12

Marking the forehead with ashes in the shape of a cross may sound like an odd practice. But the observance of Ash Wednesday can be an opportunity for God’s people to grow in wisdom as they contemplate their mortality and brevity of life.

LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. - Psalm 39:4