Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. During this season of fasting and abstinence, we prepare for the ressurection of Jesus on Easter. So what is up with the ashes?The ashes symbolize two important things. First, it reminds us that we were physically created from nothing, or from the ground.
“…the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” - Genesis 2:7
Similarly, the ashes also remind us of our mortality; that someday our bodies will die and will also return to dirt-- but our souls will live eternally.
“By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; for you are dirt, and to dirt you shall
return.” - Genesis 3:19
Wearing ashes is a beautiful tradition of humility, and unity among our brothers and sisters in Christ. The practice of using ashes within repentence originates all the way back to Biblical times. On Ash Wednesday, the ashes become a visible and outward sign of our sinfulness and our desire for repentence. So-- Let's get to mass today and wear those ashes!
“Thou art dust, and to dust thou shall return.”
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