Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.  The word Lent comes from English and German roots meaning long or spring, but the original Latin term for this period of the Christian calendar meant fortieth, as in, the fortieth day before Easter.  Ironically enough, Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter (next Tuesday marks the fortieth day before Easter).

The period of forty days, however, is a significant period in scripture.  It rained for forty days at the beginning of the great flood (Genesis 7-8).  Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai as he received the covenant from God (Exodus 24, 34).  The spies were sent into the Promised Land for forty days to explore the land (Numbers 13).  Goliath challenged the Israelite army for forty days before David stood up to him (1 Samuel 17).  After killing the prophets of Ba'al, Elijah traveled for forty days before reaching Horeb where the Lord appeared to him in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19).  Jonah gave the people of Nineveh forty days to repent and turn to God or be destroyed (Johan 3).  Jesus spent forty days fasting in the wilderness before being tempted by Satan at the onset of his public ministry (Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4).  Christ also spent forty days on earth after his resurrection before assenting into heaven (Acts 1).  This period of time is clearly significant throughout the Bible and it is fitting that we should set aside this period of time to draw closer to God.

The season of Lent and the practice of marking believers with ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead dates back to the very early days of the church.  Traditionally this serves as a day for confession and repentance (similar to Yom Kippur in the Jewish tradition).  On this day people typically fast, confess their sins, repent, and ask for forgiveness in order to refocus on their relationship with Christ during the Lenten season leading up to the Easter celebration.

Here is a brief video my father recorded today explaining the history and significance of Ash Wednesday (and it includes a humorous story as well).

 As an American Baptist, it has never been my practice to celebrate this season with any special significance.  While Lent is not part of my tradition, this year I have decided to celebrate in my own way.  In order to better focus on my relationship with God I have decided to sacrifice some of my time (time that would normally be spent watching television, napping, reading sports articles, goofing around on Facebook, watching YouTube videos, etc.) and practice the discipline of writing.  This will allow me to read and reflect, and put my thoughts down in a concrete way.  Hopefully this will spark conversation and engage others in this pursuit of growing closer to Christ through writing and reflection.