I was researching the practice of Ash Wednesday as I've always been curious about the ritual. And yet, I don't know why I've never made the connection... In Old Testament times people used to rip their clothes and pour ashes on their head as a sign of mourning. It was a way for the penitent to express sorrow for their sins and faults or for the sins of the people. Today the ritual of forming a cross of ashes marks the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance and reflection as we offer ourselves to God through prayer and fasting.
For me ashes, much like tears, have always had a healing, renewing significance. Often the events that cause us grief break us and make us stronger. And the sins and temptations that we turn away from teach us God's grace and create divine discipline in our lives. Isaiah 61:3 promises us that God will replace our mourning with joyous blessings, our despair with festive praise, and our ashes with a crown of beauty! And just as Christ was resurrected only after dying an excruciating death, just as a phoenix rises beautiful and strong from the ashes of its death, we rise reborn and refreshed from the sorrowful ashes of repentance!
No comments:
Post a Comment