There are plenty of precedents for calling God’s people together for repentance, for fresh anoint­ing, and for renewal.  This is the focus of Ash Wednesday.  As we learn in the Scriptures, the trumpet sound of the prophet Joel, calling for God’s people to tremble at the approaching judgments of God (Joel 2:1-2,12-17) resonates with the call of Jesus to times of mourning and calling on God with self-denial and even fasting.  Jesus does not say “If you fast” but “Whenever you fast.”  He expects us to follow His own example (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21).  

In addition, Scripture tells us that ashes are a sign of mourning, or humility before the holiness of God.  We read in Daniel 9:3, “Then I turned to the Lord, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sack­cloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession” (see also Job 42:6; Jonah 3:6; Matthew 11:20-22).

May the Lord guide you, as you consider what form of sacrifice you will make for the Lord, during this season of preparation, leading to Holy Week and Easter or Resurrection Sunday celebrations in early April.

For additional Scripture reading and study:

• Psalm 51:1-17 
• 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10 

Thoughts about Ash Wednesday has been adapted from material contained in Ashes to Fire, Ash Wednesday Service Options.