What does the Bible say about Ashes?
In the Old Testament, we see many instances when the use of ashes is closely linked to acts of repentance, fasting and openness to the intervention of divine mercy. For example, the Prophet Jeremiah invited people to repentance because God intended to inflict punishment on them for their iniquities. He said to the people: "O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes, […], for sudden upon us comes the destroyer." (Jer 6:26).Similarly, we see the Prophet Daniel coming before God on behalf of the People of Israel to utter the prayer of repentance and pleading for God’s mercy to come upon the people. “I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord, my God, and confessed.” (Dn 9:3).
The other example of repentance that involves the sackcloth and ashes is what happened when Jonah preached in the great city of Nineveh. All the people in the City, beginning with their King, opened their hearts to repentance and appealed for God’s mercy. "When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. […]. Who knows, God may relent and forgive, and withhold his blazing wrath, so that we shall not perish." (Jon 3:6). In the Book of Judith, we see the same happening. As people express their repentance before God, they put ashes on their heads and appeal for forgiveness: "And all the Israelite men, women and children who lived in Jerusalem prostrated themselves in front of the temple building, with ashes strewn on their heads” (Jdt 4:1).
Again, in the Book of the Maccabees, we see that the rebels who were fighting for Jewish independence expressing their total submission to the power of God by use of ashes: "That day they fasted and wore sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their clothes" (1 Mc 3:47).
In the New Testament, Jesus makes reference to the use of sackcloth and ashes as signs of repentance when he said: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes" (Mt 11:21, Lk 10:13).
What do the Readings of Ash Wednesday Say?
The readings highlight the call to prayer, fasting and conversion. In the First Reading, the Prophet Joel appeals to the people to return to the Lord "with fasting, and weeping and mourning." This God is "gracious and merciful...slow to anger, rich in kindness and relenting in punishment." This invitation to conversion of heart is extended to the whole community of Israel. "Blow the trumpet in Zion, proclaim a fast, call an assembly; gather the people, notify the congregation; assemble the elders, gather the children and the infants at the breast." Joel is reminding us that we are all in need of the mercy of God and conversion. We need to encourage and support one another on this journey (Joel 2:12 – 18). In the Second Reading, St. Paul implores us, "be reconciled to God.""Now," he insists, "is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." The time to return to the Lord is now, this holy season, this very day. Reconciliation with God and with one another is today or never. (2 Cor 5:20-6:2).
The Gospel gives us good advice and an agenda for the season of Lent. Jesus speaks of the three main disciplines of this season: giving alms, praying and fasting. Jesus reminds us that these activities are to be done without any desire for public recognition, praise or honor. These are supposed to be signs of a people that have been reconciled with God, concerned about the neighbor and able to sacrifice for the good of others. When we wear the ashes, it is not to proclaim our holiness but to acknowledge that we are a community of sinners in need of repentance and conversion.
How important is Ash Wednesday for all of us?
During the liturgical celebration, there are two possible formulas that are used during the imposition of ashes on people’s foreheads.
The first says: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return." This formula focuses on our mortality to sin as the reason for the call to repentance. We remember that we are creatures of the earth but it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we receive the breathe of life as children of God.
The second says, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." This formula is a clear call to conversion. It reminds us of that movement away from sin to Christ our redeemer. Conversion is the process of transformation and we are invited to embrace it over and over again.
Lent is a Movement from Ashes to the Waters of Baptism
Ash Wednesday initiates the pilgrimage of renewal and conversion toward the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. It is a movement from making our forehead dirty with ashes to acknowledge our sinfulness and journey towards renewal in the waters of baptism through prayer, fasting and arms giving. That, simply put, is the point of Ash Wednesday!
A PRAYER FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, the all-holy one, who gives us life and all things. As we go about our lives, the press of our duties and activities often leads us to forget your presence and your love. We fall into sin and fail to live out the responsibilities that you have entrusted to those who were baptized into your Son.In this holy season, help us to turn our minds and hearts back to you. Lead us into sincere repentance and renew our lives with your grace. Help us to remember that we are sinners, but even more; help us to remember your loving mercy.
As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son.
May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
SOURCE: Fr. Pikiti Febian Mulenga
Pastoral Coordinator, AMECEA