Ash Wednesday: depending on God

4 Ash Wednesday: Depending on God

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the period of 40 days before Easter. Lent is a season of fasting and repentance in preparation for the joyous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Day. The 40-day period comes from Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil (Mark 1:12–13). Ash Wednesday gets its name from the use of ash as a symbol during the Eucharist on the day itself. Those present are invited to have their foreheads marked with a cross of ash, reminding them of their mortality and their dependence on God. Traditionally, the ash is made when palm crosses from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burnt…