Next Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent—the forty-day period between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday that leads to Good Friday and Easter. Many set aside these six weeks for extra prayer, repentance, reflection and self-denial, doing so with the hope that they might better appreciate their part in the suffering and death of Christ.
Like most Protestants, I went a long time without giving Ash Wednesday any thought. It struck me as just one more religious ritual that substituted for a personal relationship with Christ. It certainly didn’t occur to me that I might profit by observing this day. Ten years ago I dug a little deeper, was surprised by what I learned, repented of my snobbery and started inviting others to join me for Ash Wednesday services. I’m writing today in hopes of prodding you to take a next step.
What did I learn about Ash Wednesday that led me to start holding Ash Wednesday services?
A few things. Here are some of the high points:
- Ash Wednesday became a Christian holiday (holy day) about one thousand years ago.
- It is based in part on an early church practice linked to confession. Those Christians who felt stuck in a state of persistent sin would sprinkle ashes on their body as a sign of repentance. This was done in light of Job 42:6, which reports that Job repented “in dust and ashes.”
- About 1000 A.D., a service began in which Christ followers declared their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross.
- Ash Wednesday is a dark day, but it is not without hope. We acknowledge our brokenness and guilt—recognizing that it is our sin led to Christ’s suffering and death—but we do so with an eye on the resurrection! The bad news is followed by Good News. In fact, the bad news helps us understand just how good the Good News is.
What happens at an Ash Wednesday service?
Ash Wednesday services vary. At Christ Church we will offer two identical services at the Lake Forest campus (6:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) and a different—slightly more robust service—at Highland Park at 7:00 p.m. All three services will include singing, the reading of Scripture, a brief homily, a time of reflection and—for those who would like them—the imposition of ashes. That is, ashes from last year’s Palm crosses will be placed on our foreheads in the sign of the cross. This is done as a reminder of our mortality and sinfulness. The person placing the ashes does so while quoting from what God said to Adam shortly after the fall. “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19).
Why Should We Observe Ash Wednesday?
As with Christmas and Easter, there is no biblical commandment requiring us to observe Ash Wednesday. You are free to participate or not. And let’s be clear, you do not earn any “spiritual bonus points” if you do. I chose to participate because—at least occasionally—I want to reflect on Christ’s suffering on my behalf. In fact, I want to be formed by it.
Isn’t Ash Wednesday a Bit Odd?
It’s more than “a bit odd.” In a culture so obsessed with life and youth—and so fearful of death—anything that boldly proclaims our mortality is going to be seen as bizarre. But that is part of the reason we need what Ash Wednesday offers. In the midst of a society of “winners”—where everyone puts on their game face and acts like they’ve got life figured out—I want to announce that I do not. In fact, I will rebelliously smear black ash on my forehead and advertise that I do not. I need a savior.