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On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, Catholics attend liturgical activities and receive ashes on our foreheads in the form of a cross, signaling a sign of our faith and a reminder of remorse for our sins. We are told “Repent and believe in the gospel,” when we receive the ashes. Non-Catholics may receive ashes at the Catholic services.

With these ashes, we recall our origins from the earth, as well as how our bodies shall return one day to the same form (as we hear “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” and we respond Amen.) The ashes are produced from the burning of palm fronds of the preceding year’s Palm Sunday, which comes the week before Easter Sunday and marks the welcome Jesus received from followers upon his return to Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion.

Catholics are called upon to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday. As outlined in the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law:

“Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. “ Canon 1251

With ashes administered, we now begin Lent, a period of forty-six days (forty when Sundays are excluded) that commemorates the time Jesus spent in the desert prior to beginning his public ministry as Messiah.

As described in the gospel readings according to Matthew, Mark and Luke, following his baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, where he fasted for forty days and was subject to temptation by Satan.

To honor this sacrifice and conquest over the devil, Catholics and other Christians elect to set aside the season of Lent to refocus on Jesus as we look ahead to his death on the Cross and rejoice over his miraculous return. We will hear in the gospel of Matthew on Ash Wednesday that we are expected to observe the practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer. Last weekend, I gave you several ways to participate in the parish activities to enhance your Lenten Journey. Today, I ask you to do what is expected from Jesus as outlined in Matthew’s Gospel heard on Ash Wednesday. What will you refrain from (Fast?) Make sure it is otherwise good; don’t start doing illicit drugs or cussing out people again on Easter Sunday. We are always to refrain from evil. How will you give more of your resources (money, time, talents)? And who will benefit? Setting aside time to come to our events we are offering is a form of almsgiving especially if you invite others and help others to attend. How will you increase your prayer time? What new prayer practices will you add during this Lent? Many will be offered at the parish as posted last weekend on the front of the bulletin. Choose one of these or choose another from our Catholic tradition. Let’s make it a great Lent together!

Parts used from Matt Charbonneau, Ascension Press blogpost of January 20, 2025.