The title means, "Day of Cinders". Better known as Ash Wednesday. Jenne and I got back form our church’s Ash Wednesday service a little while ago. I thought that I would share with you a little of the origins of Ash Wednesday and what tonight’s service, and the church’s Season of Lent means to me. Don’t worry, you can read on without fear of me being all preachy at you.
The name, dies cinerum derives from the custom of sprinkling ashes on the heads of the penitents in 6th century Gaul (now France). In the 10th and 11th centuries the custom was voluntarily adopted by the faithful as a sign of penitence and a reminder of their mortality. The idea of burning the palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday service to produce the ashes came about in the 12th century. Ashes serve as a sign of our humanity and also suggest cleansing, since they were once used as a cleansing agent in the absence of soap and in fact can still be used. They are also a symbol of renewal as ashes are a remnant of the custom of burning the fields in the spring to clear out the stubble and prepare for new growth.
So what do I personally get out of having ashes put on my forehead and looking like I have some sort of funky bruise? Well it doesn’t mean that I won’t be eating any meat on Fridays (that’s Catholic) and it doesn’t mean that I’ll make some lame promise of giving up beer or comic books. It's deeper than that. The real challenge, that Jenne taught me years ago is taking things on. Putting a cross on one's own shoulders and making a personal march to Easter. What Ash Wednesday is for me is a reminder that I am a mortal man, a sinner and imperfect. I am also reminded, through the liturgy and hymns that in spite of my sins and imperfections that God truly loves me, forgives me, and cleanses me of my sins. That He creates in me a clean heart and renews a right spirit within me (Psalm 51). During the service I reflect on my life and the way I live it and how I can improve it and by doing so improve the lives of those around me and improve the world we all share. Ash Wednesday starts the season of Lent and Lent to me is a time of restoration, of discipline and of spiritual and moral growth. In spite of all the talk about sin and penitence I am not made to feel heavy guilt for my sins (that’s Catholic too). Instead I feel a sense of hope and joy because I can live better and I know that I am forgiven of my sins through Jesus Christ. The word Lent comes from an old Anglo-Saxon term meaning springtime. So for me, Jenne and our Christian brothers & sisters, Lent is the “holy springtime of the soul.” It’s a time for preparation, planning and growth as we await the coming of Easter and the Resurrection. Amen.
I was wondering why they burnt palms. There was an article in the local newspaper about the fire dept. having been mistakenly called due to the smell of burning palms, but no explanation about what was being done. Thanks.
Posted by: Zelda on March 6, 2003 01:12 PMInteresting history. I was aware of the significance of the tradition, but not of the history. Thanks for the heads-up!
Posted by: Nub Nub on March 6, 2003 02:36 PM"Holy springtime of the soul." A bit thick eh?
Posted by: (mr) SATAN on March 6, 2003 03:35 PMNever having been involved a church that really celebrated Lent but rather focused on Palm Sunday and Easter, I had never really thought about it too much. Thanks for giving us wise and lovely thoughts on the origins and meaning of Lent and what it means to you.
Posted by: Becky on March 6, 2003 05:26 PMThank you for this. I am about to embark upon teaching the origins and meaning of Ash Wednseday and Lent to primary (elemrntary) children and discovered your relections and explanations waiting for me. Very useful and helpful. Thank you. God bless.
Posted by: Jan on February 13, 2004 08:13 PManyone know how to make soap from ash?
Posted by: simon hoffman on May 5, 2004 05:10 AM