Good morning,
An earlier check-in this week as I am preparing to head to a pastors conference at Cairn University tomorrow. Today is Ash Wednesday, the official start of the season of Lent. So just what is Ash Wednesday and who observes it?
Ash Wednesday’s official title is the “Day of Ashes.” The Day of Ashes is exactly 40 days before Easter Sunday. However, since tradition excludes all the Sundays leading up to Easter, the observance always falls on a Wednesday. There can’t be an Ash Monday or an Ash Thursday.
We believe the observance began in the Roman Catholic Church, perhaps as far back as the 8th century. It is still observed today by the Catholic Church, as well as some Protestant denominations. The modern tradition of observing Ash Wednesday involves using ashes to rub a cross on a person’s forehead.
It is important to note that the Bible never mentions this practice or commands the observance of Ash Wednesday. Certainly, there are many mentions of people using dust and ashes as symbols of repentance and/or mourning. But we do not see the early church use ashes as a sign of identifying with Jesus.
It is also important to note that the Bible never condemns the practice of using ashes either. Observing Ash Wednesday therefore falls into the category of Christian liberty. While some Protestant churches do observe Ash Wednesday with a service, many (like the Bridge) do not. There are any number of reasons why a church may forgo observing Ash Wednesday, but there are at least two spiritual aspects of the practice that all Christians should consider.
The first is that while it is obviously a good thing to repent of our sins and identify with Jesus, we should be doing that every day…not just on Ash Wednesday. While the ritual may well be meaningful for some, it can never replace making one’s heart right with God. I fear that some folks may believe that merely having ashes rubbed on their foreheads once a year helps to make them right with God.
The second reason that many churches do not practice the rubbing of ashes is because of what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:16-18:
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Many churches encourage different fasts during Lent, and since Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, many Christians are hesitant to participate in the practice of rubbing ashes because to them it feels like they are disobeying the words of Jesus.
To be clear, participating in Ash Wednesday has nothing to do with our salvation. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Here's what’s happening:
1. Youth Group Game night at the Derr home Saturday night from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Please let Thomas ASAP know if you are coming and if you need a ride. Youth should bring a snack to share.
2. If you would like more information about the youth missions trip to North Carolina in July please see Thomas. We need to have a headcount of who is going by 3/16 (preferably before then).
3. Lenten Prayer Services start next Thursday! We will gather for a time of worship, sharing, and prayer from 6:30 to 7:30 in the evening. The Youth Group will also meet that evening.
4. We are looking for volunteers to help run the tech booth during the worship services. Please see Bruce Fite if you are interested.
5. It’s “spring ahead” this weekend. Don’t forget to change your clocks on Saturday night.
6. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner information was handed out on Sunday. Please see Mary Lois Kreider if you would like to participate but haven’t received the information. Completed forms are due back to Mary Lois or Becky Myers by next Sunday, 3/16.
This Sunday we are studying Daniel 9, which begins with a prayer and ends with a prophecy. It is tempting to sort of gloss over Daniel’s prayer to get to the prophecy of the Seventy Sevens. Don’t worry, we will spend time looking at the prophecy, but we’ll also be considering what we can learn from Daniel’s powerful prayer!
See you on Sunday…extra coffee will be available!
Scott