Ash Wednesday 2012

For at least 1,300 years, Christians have marked the beginning of Lent, the season of preparation for Easter, with the observance of Ash Wednesday. The service is a time of the beginning of "Spring Cleaning" for the soul with verbal and physical acts of repentance. Part of that service involves imposing ashes on the head - a practice showing sorrow picked up from the Old Testament. As the repentant believer worships, ashes are placed on his/her forehead with the following words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Stark words. Sobering words. Penetrating words. Helpful words.

The ashes remind us of the shortness of life. "What is your life but a vapor? It appears for a little while and then vanishes away" remarks St. James (4.14). If life is so brief, what is truly important? The ashes make us prioritize.

The ashes remind us of our humble origins. From the dust of the earth the Lord God made man. For all our mighty deeds and wondrous accomplishments, we are still dust - and our God knows it (Psalm 103.14). The ashes keep us humble.

The ashes remind us of our uncleanness. Like the prophet, we remember that we are unclean among an unclean people (Isaiah 6.5). All our best deeds amount to filthy rags (Isaiah 64.6). The soot on the face is only indicative of the filth that so often lurks beneath the surface. The ashes keep us penitent.

The ashes remind us of God's mercy and the incredible possibility. Though we are but a vapor, though our lives are no stronger than dust, and though we walk among uncleanness, our God is gracious. He offers the hope of eternal life. He strengthens our frame by His Holy Spirit. He cleanses us through the blood of Jesus. We can be renewed, and our repentance is the beginning of that renewal. The ashes give us hope.

May God's grace be with us all during this Lent - may our homes and hearts be cleansed and made fit for the presence of the risen Lord Jesus!