Ash Wednesday

9 March 2011

Matthew 9:15 And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, in many countries yesterday was Shrove Tuesday and the end of the Mardi Gras. This time from now until Easter is a time of holiness and preparation and in the early church was the time when people wanting to be baptised would be in the period of final baptism that would take place on Easter Sunday. For many of us this is a time of serious self examination, a period of looking back over the past year and recounting the things we are sorry about, the things we need to change, the process of dealing with self and selfish desires.

For some to help and remind of this it is also a time to fast, so many would give up something that they enjoy and do something that would help others. Some may give up ice cream, others meat, others alcohol, others smoking etc., depending on the leading of the Holy Spirit guided by prayer. To mark the celebrant of Lent an ash cross is marked on the forehead of the person, by which they proclaim their intent to seek the holiness of this time in their lives. This is similar to the vow of the Nasserite whereby they separate themselves from wine and do not cut the hair on their head for the time of their vow. God recognises this and blesses them. It is also during this period that we associate more deeply with Jesus Christ with His journey to Gethsemane; to Calvary, and finally to join Him in His resurrection.

Be encouraged today to be part of the celebration of the journey of Lent.

David

Point to ponder: When we desire to be holy, holiness will occur.

Question to consider: Do you celebrate Lent?