“Ash” Wednesday

While at Walmart this past Wednesday, I saw a man walking down another aisle from me with an ashen cross imprinted on his forehead.  I had seen this marking before on an acquaintance of mine who worshipped with a Lutheran church.  I asked her the meaning of the cross and its composition and she told me “today was Ash Wednesday.”

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten season.  It is always preceded by Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).  Mardi Gras is celebrated as the last day before Easter wherein one can indulge oneself to the fullest. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, one must keep oneself to prayer, fasting and attention to spiritual matters. Lent is a period of approximately forty days (signifying Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness).  I didn’t know very much about Lent while growing up.  I just knew that the school cafeteria would only serve fish on Friday during that time.

I am all for giving more attention to spiritual matters, but I don’t need an ashen cross on my forehead to remind me of the fact of the cross. Each Lord’s Day we remember the resurrection of Jesus.  By our attendance in worship and our participation in the Lord’s Supper, we honor our Lord. We are to carry the cross of Christ in our minds and focus on the wonderful gift of sacrifice that was offered on our behalf.  If we want to “give up” something for Lent, let us give up superficial actions of piety and live every day for the Lord Jesus Christ.

—Paul