Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday.  For Roman Catholics, it is day of obligation, when they are expected to attend mass and receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penitence and mortality.  Because Catholics do attend mass and receive ashes in large numbers, many Christians think that it is a particularly Catholic tradition -- which, for generations, led many Protestants to have nothing to do with the observance of this day.

However, the tradition is ancient, dating back many centuries before the theological conflict between Catholics and Protestants developed.  In recent years, more Protestant congregations have gathered for worship on this day, also receiving ashes as a sign of penitence and mortality.  This day marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent, which is a time of preparation for Easter.  Before we focus on the happier topics of resurrection, rebirth, and renewal, we prepare by studying (again) things like death, sacrifice, and the judgment of sins.

At Eastgate, we will gather for a special service this evening, at 6:30, which will include ashes, a meditation, special music, and the Lord's Supper.  It is a time to admit that none of us is perfect, and some of our imperfections hurt us, others around us, and even damage our relationships with God.  It is a time to hear again, with the ashes, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Is it important?  I think so.  Partially, I believe that confession is good for the soul and can be the start of healing.  Mostly, though, I think it is half of the essential dichotomy that Paul described of our existence as imperfect humans and as redeemed Christians: in the words of the King James (which were memorably set to music in by Handel in Messiah), "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."  Today (and during this Lenten season) we focus on how we, like Adam, have sinned and will die; in Eastertide, we focus on the promise of faith that there is life beyond death.