Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ash Wednesday
EWTN ^ | 1996 | James Akin

Posted on 03/03/2003 5:35:48 PM PST by Salvation

ASH WEDNESDAY
James Akin
Q: What is Ash Wednesday?

A: Ash Wednesday is the day Lent begins. It occurs forty days before Good Friday.

Q: Is Ash Wednesday based on a pagan festival?

A: Heck, no. Ash Wednesday originated in the A.D. 900s, long after Europe had been Christianized and the pagan cults stamped out.

Q: Why is it called Ash Wednesday?

A: Actually, Ash Wednesday is its colloquial name. Its official name is the Day of Ashes. It is called Ash <Wednesday> because, being forty days before Good Friday, it always falls on a Wednesday and it is called <Ash> Wednesday because on that day at church the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.

Q: Why do they have their foreheads marked with a cross?

A: Because in the Bible a mark on the forehead is a symbol of a person's ownership. By having their foreheads marked with the sign of a cross, this symbolizes that the person belongs to Jesus Christ, who died on a Cross.

This is in imitation of the spiritual mark or seal that is put on a Christian in baptism, when he is delivered from slavery to sin and the devil and made a slave of righteousness and Christ (Rom. 6:3-18).

It is also in imitation of the way the righteousness are described in the book of Revelation, where we read of the servants of God (the Christian faithful, as symbolized by the 144,000 male virgins):

"Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads."(Revelation 7:3)

"[The demon locust] were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green growth or any tree, but only those of mankind who have not the seal of God upon their foreheads"(Revelation 9:4)

"Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads."(Revelation 14:1)

This is in contrast to the followers of the beast, who have the number 666 on their foreheads or hands.

The reference to the sealing of the servants of God for their protection in Revelation is an allusion to a parallel passage in Ezekiel, where Ezekiel also sees a sealing of the servants of God for their protection:

"And the LORD said to him [one of the four cherubim], 'Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark [literally,"a <tav">] upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.' And to the others he said in my hearing, 'Pass through the city after him, and smite; your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity; slay old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one upon whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.' So they began with the elders who were before the house."(Ezekiel 9:4-6)

Unfortunately, like most modern translations, the one quoted above (the Revised Standard Version, which we have been quoting thus far), is not sufficiently literal. What it actually says is to place a <tav> on the foreheads of the righteous inhabitants of Jerusalem. <Tav> is one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and in ancient script it looked like the Greek letter <chi>, which happens to be two <crossed> lines (like an "x") and which happens to be the first letter in the word "Christ" in Greek <(christos).> The Jewish rabbis commented on the connection between <tav> and <chi> and this is undoubtedly the mark Revelation has in mind when the servants of God are sealed in it.

The early Church Fathers seized on this <tav-chi->cross-<christos> connection and expounded it in their homilies, seeing in Ezekiel a prophetic foreshadowing of the sealing of Christians as servants of Christ. It is also part of the background to the Catholic practice of making the sign of the cross, which in the early centuries (as can be documented from the second century on) was practiced by using one's thumb to furrow one's brow with a small sign of the cross, like Catholic do today at the reading of the Gospel during Mass.

Q: Why is the signing done with ashes?

A: Because ashes are a biblical symbol of mourning and penance. In Bible times the custom was to fast, wear sackcloth, sit in dust and ashes, and put dust and ashes on one's head. While we no longer normally wear sackcloth or sit in dust and ashes, the customs of fasting and putting ashes on one's forehead as a sign of mourning and penance have survived to this day. These are two of the key distinctives of Lent. In fact, Ash Wednesday is a day not only for putting ashes on one's head, but also a day of fasting (see below).

Q: What are some biblical examples of people putting dust and ashes on their foreheads?

A: Consider the following verses from the New International Version:

"That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head."(1 Samuel 4:12)

"On the third day a man arrived from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor."(2 Samuel 1:20

"Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went."(2 Samuel 13:19)

"When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head."(2 Samuel 15:32)

Q: Is there another significance to the ashes?

A: Yes. They also symbolize death and so remind us of our mortality. Thus when the priest uses his thumb to sign one of the faithful with the ashes, he says, "Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return, "which is modeled after God's address to Adam (Genesis 3:19; cf. Job 34:15, Psalms 90:3, 104:29, Ecclesiastes 3:20). This also echoes the words at a burial, "Ashes to ashes; dust to dust, "which is based on God's words to Adam in Genesis 3 and Abraham's confession, "I am nothing but dust and ashes"(Genesis 18:27). It is thus a reminder of our mortality and our need to repent before this life is over and we face our Judge.

Q: Where do the ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from?

A: They are made by burning palm fronds which have been saved from the previous year's Palm Sunday, they are then blessed by a priest—blessed ashes having been used in God's rituals since the time of Moses (Numbers 19:9-10, 17).

Q: Why are ashes from the previous year's Palm Sunday used?

A: Because Palm Sunday was when the people rejoiced at Jesus' triumphal entrance to Jerusalem. They celebrated his arrival by waving palm fronds, little realizing that he was coming to die for their sins. By using palms from Palm Sunday, it is a reminder that we must not only rejoice of Jesus' coming but also regret the fact that our sins made it necessary for him to die for us in order to save us from hell.

Q: Is having one's forehead signed with ashes required of the faithful?

A: No, it is not required. However, it is to be strongly encouraged as it is a fitting and visible spiritual reminder that encourages one to adopt an attitude of prayer, repentance, and humility. As James said: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up"(James 4:10).

Q: Is Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation, that is, a day on which we are required to go to Mass?

A: No, it is not a holy day of obligation. However, it is strongly advisable since it is fitting to mark the beginning of penitential season of Lent by going to Mass. The formal, corporate worship of God is a good way to get a good start to the season. Also, even though it is not a holy day of obligation, it is a day of fast and abstinence.

Q: Why isn't Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation?

A: Holy days of obligation are either commemorations of particular events (such as the birth of Christ or the presentation of Jesus in the Temple), particular people (such as Jesus' earthly father, St. Joseph), or important theological concepts (such as the Kingship of Christ). Ash Wednesday does not commemorate any event (nothing special happened forty days before the crucifixion—at least not that we know of), and could only be said to indirectly commemorate a Person (Christ) since it is the beginning of preparation for the greater celebrations of Christ's saving work, which follow, and although Ash Wednesday is a day of penance (like all of the days of Lent except Sundays, which are feast days no matter when they occur in the liturgical calendar since they celebrate Christ's resurrection), the Church has never chosen to make it or any other specific day the definitive commemoration of the concept of repentance.

Copyright (c) 1996 by James Akin. All Rights Reserved



TOPICS: Activism; Apologetics; Catholic; Charismatic Christian; Current Events; Eastern Religions; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; History; Humor; Islam; Judaism; Mainline Protestant; Ministry/Outreach; Moral Issues; Orthodox Christian; Other Christian; Other non-Christian; Prayer; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Religion & Science; Skeptics/Seekers; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: ashwednesday; beginning; catholiclist; lent
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-93 next last
for your information and discussion
1 posted on 03/03/2003 5:35:48 PM PST by Salvation
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: *Catholic_list; father_elijah; nickcarraway; SMEDLEYBUTLER; Siobhan; Lady In Blue; attagirl; ...
Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Catholic Discussion Ping list.

2 posted on 03/03/2003 5:38:35 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ponyespresso
I don't think you are on my ping list. YET! Ha!
3 posted on 03/03/2003 5:40:36 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Salvation
As Mother Angelica would say, "You are awesome!!!" Thank you, Salvation, for posting this.
4 posted on 03/03/2003 8:30:53 PM PST by Siobhan (+Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.+)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: oceanperch; sneakers; Cap'n Crunch; WaveThatFlag; perform_to_strangers
Ash Wednesday ping.
5 posted on 03/03/2003 8:32:32 PM PST by Siobhan (+Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.+)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation
Thanks, Salvation. This is interesting enough for my kids to read and understand.
6 posted on 03/03/2003 8:37:49 PM PST by american colleen (Christe Eleison!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Siobhan
**As Mother Angelica would say, "You are awesome!!!"**

And so are you! LOL!
7 posted on 03/03/2003 11:27:16 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: american colleen
I really liked one of his answers: Heck, NO!
8 posted on 03/03/2003 11:27:54 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Salvation
BUMP
9 posted on 03/03/2003 11:57:38 PM PST by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salvation
Have I thanked you lately for your pings? I will now. Thanks.
10 posted on 03/04/2003 5:59:53 AM PST by My back yard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Siobhan
Please solve this dispute I have with a Catholic co-worker: Mass is not said on Good Friday, but Catholics are expected to at least vist the Church on that day. Correct?
11 posted on 03/04/2003 6:16:50 AM PST by WaveThatFlag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: My back yard
No, but you are welcome! LOL!
12 posted on 03/04/2003 6:17:00 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Salvation; All
Question: can a non-Catholic baptized Christian (born again) receive the ashes on Ash Wednesday? (I was going to ask a friend of mine to mass tomorrow.)

Also, what is a polite way of telling her she can't receive communion in the Catholic Church?

Thanks, and God bless!

13 posted on 03/04/2003 6:20:44 AM PST by Gophack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gophack
As far as I know there is no reason that she cannot receive the ashes tomorrow.

On the Communion item however, I would be tempted to use the inside cover of our missalette that has the guidelines for receiving Communion. Maybe someone else can put it into more delcate words than I am able at this moment.

She is always welcome to go up for a blessing, indicating no communion by placing her arms across her chest, hand to opposite shoulders.

14 posted on 03/04/2003 6:25:55 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: All
Lent and Fasting
15 posted on 03/04/2003 6:42:31 AM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Salvation
Another excellent post!

By using palms from Palm Sunday, it is a reminder that we must not only rejoice of Jesus' coming but also regret the fact that our sins made it necessary for him to die for us in order to save us from hell.

This is most interesting and lends greater significance to the ashes. For those of us who can't make it to church during lunch tomorrow, a chaplain will be coming to the capitol to distribute ashes to the catholics. It is one of those rare moments when faith transcends political affiliations.

16 posted on 03/04/2003 7:47:23 AM PST by NYer (Kyrie Eleison)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WaveThatFlag
Please solve this dispute I have with a Catholic co-worker: Mass is not said on Good Friday, but Catholics are expected to at least vist the Church on that day. Correct?

Good Friday is not a day of obligation.

SD

17 posted on 03/04/2003 9:04:39 AM PST by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Gophack
Also, what is a polite way of telling her she can't receive communion in the Catholic Church?

Simply tell her, as the missalette does, that Communion is a sign of unity. It is sad that there is disunity in the Christian people, but that to share in Communion would be to express a falsehood about our unity.

SD

18 posted on 03/04/2003 9:06:18 AM PST by SoothingDave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: SoothingDave
I don't think you understand my question. It is certainly not a day of obligation, because there are no masses for required attendance. But aren't you expected to at least stop by and reflect?
19 posted on 03/04/2003 9:59:07 AM PST by WaveThatFlag
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-93 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson