Ash Wednesday and Lent: What are they and why do they matter?

If you see someone walking around with a smudge of ash on their forehead on February 14, don’t assume they forgot to wash their face after a romantic date. They might be observing Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting, and giving in many Christian traditions. But what are Ash Wednesday and Lent, and why do they matter? Here’s a brief guide to help you understand these ancient practices and their relevance today.

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Ash Wednesday is observed by Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, as well as by some churches in the Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, and Nazarene traditions.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christians receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance and mortality. The ashes are made from burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. The placement of ashes is accompanied by the words, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”.

Ash Wednesday dates back to the 11th century, according to the Vatican, but the tradition of marking one’s forehead with ashes is rooted in the ancient Hebrew custom of “clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance,” according to Hallow, an app for Christian and Catholic prayer and meditation.

What is Lent?

Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and giving that prepares Christians for the celebration of Easter, the day of Christ’s resurrection. Lent lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays), which recalls the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert before he began his ministry. During Lent, many Christians abstain from certain foods or habits, or take up new spiritual practices, as a way of growing closer to God. Lent ends on either Good Friday or Holy Saturday, depending on the denomination.

Lent is one of five seasons on the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Ordinary Time. That means you may see some changes in the church services, such as the color of the vestments, the absence of the Alleluia, and the use of the Stations of the Cross.

Lent is also a time when many Christians choose to give something up or take something on as a form of sacrifice or discipline. Some common examples are giving up chocolate, alcohol, or social media, or taking on daily prayer, reading, or charity. The idea is to detach oneself from worldly pleasures and attachments, and to focus on the spiritual life and the love of God.

Why do Ash Wednesday and Lent matter?

Ash Wednesday and Lent matter because they are opportunities for Christians to deepen their faith and renew their commitment to follow Jesus. They are also ways of expressing solidarity with the suffering and oppressed people of the world, and of sharing the hope and joy of the Easter message.

Ash Wednesday and Lent are not meant to be gloomy or depressing, but rather to be honest and hopeful. They invite us to acknowledge our sinfulness and our need for God’s mercy, and to trust in his grace and power to transform us. They challenge us to examine our lives and our choices, and to align them with the values of the Gospel. They inspire us to grow in love and service, and to share our gifts and talents with others.

Ash Wednesday and Lent are not mandatory or obligatory, but rather voluntary and personal. They are not about following rules or regulations, but about cultivating a relationship with God and with our neighbors. They are not about earning salvation or pleasing God, but about responding to his love and grace. They are not about giving up or losing something, but about gaining and discovering something.

Ash Wednesday and Lent are not only for Catholics or Christians, but for anyone who wants to explore the meaning and purpose of life, and to experience the presence and power of God. They are not only for the past or the present, but for the future and the eternal. They are not only for the individual or the community, but for the whole world and the whole creation.

Ash Wednesday and Lent are not the end, but the beginning. They are not the destination, but the journey. They are not the answer, but the question. They are not the final word, but the invitation.

How can you observe Ash Wednesday and Lent?

If you are interested in observing Ash Wednesday and Lent, there are many ways you can do so. Here are some suggestions:

• Attend an Ash Wednesday service at a local church and receive ashes on your forehead. You can find a list of churches near you here.
• Choose something to give up or take on for the 40 days of Lent. It can be something simple or challenging, something personal or communal, something material or spiritual. You can find some ideas here.
• Pray daily, either by yourself or with others. You can use a prayer book, a devotional app, a Bible, or your own words. You can find some resources here.
• Read a book, an article, a blog, or a podcast that relates to the themes of Lent, such as repentance, forgiveness, justice, peace, or hope. You can find some recommendations here.
• Give to a charity, a cause, or a person that needs your help. You can donate money, time, skills, or goods. You can find some options here.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that Ash Wednesday and Lent are not about being perfect or successful, but about being faithful and sincere. They are not about what you do, but about who you are and who you want to be. They are not about you, but about God and his love for you.