Ash Wednesday

"1 As you know, Jesus retreated into the wilderness and fasted for forty days to prepare for his ministry. It was for Him a time of contemplation, reflection, and preparation. By observing Lent, most Christians join Jesus on His retreat.

Lent consists of the forty days before Easter. In the western Church, we skip over the Sundays when we count the days of Lent, because Sunday is always the joyful celebration of the Resurrection. Therefore, the first day of Lent in the western Church is always a Wednesday.

Biblical societies relied very heavily on wood fires for heating and cooking, which meant that keeping ashes under control was a major housekeeping task. Then as now, if a person was preoccupied with something serious, they didn’t always tend to the housekeeping—it’s the least of their concerns. Imagine that there is a death in the family. A friend stopping by to pay their respects might gently say, “Did you know you have ashes on your face?”

So ashes became a sign of remorse, repentance, and mourning. Today someone might wear a black armband to signify that they are in mourning; back then people put ashes on their foreheads and wore sackcloth.

You can find biblical examples of this in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, and Jeremiah 6:26. During Lent, ancient Christians mourned their sins and repented of them, so it was appropriate for them to show their sincerity by having ashes on their foreheads. The custom has persisted in the church as secular society has changed around us.

It is most appropriate on Ash Wednesday, when we begin a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. "

"2 Some people only celebrate the happy times in Jesus’ life: Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas. But I think as true friends, we should also watch and pray with Him on Maundy Thursday, stand by Him at the cross on Good Friday, and retreat with Him into the wilderness during Lent. "

Both Passages Quoted Directly from: http://www.kencollins.com/Question-02.htm

Tomorrow we will attend our first Ash Wednesday Mass in 6 years, after returning to the Catholic Church several months ago. God has been working to prepare us for this solemn occassion, and for the season of Lent. So much is going on in our lives, in our hearts, and in our minds lately ... as God continues to work in us and to lead us. We will try to share more throughout Lent.

Cherub 1, Cherub 2, and Cherub 3 will make their First Reconciliation during Lent this year. And DadToCherubs and I will recommit our lives and will go through our first Reconciliation in quite some time. We have been praying and have been waiting for God's direction in this matter. We feel He has guided us to a place where we are to be preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and for the "sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection" during this Lenten season.

What a Mighty God we serve !!