ASH WEDNESDAY AND THE 4O DAYS OF LENT
The name Ash Wednesday is derived from the custom of those in need of forgiveness coming to the church in sackcloth (coarse cloth) and with naked feet and throwing ashes over their heads when they had finished their prayers. The ashes were made from the palms blessed the previous Palm Sunday. The Body of Christ, the Church, is to fill itself with new life in its members and expel all signs of death. The whole teaching of this day is intended to aid our devotional life and as a check on the effect of the world on each of our lives.
Following the example of the Ninevites, who sought forgiveness through the use of sackcloth and ashes (see the book of Jonah), we, the Church, today are reminded of our own sentence of death as a consequence of our sin, sprinkling ashes on our head with the words “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
This custom is a relic of an ancient ceremony referred to in early Christian writings. Those Christians who were guilty of grave faults had to show public sorrow. Accordingly, on Ash Wednesday, the bishop blessed that sackcloth which was worn by those seeking forgiveness during the forty days of Lent. Then, as the faithful were singing the Seven Penitential Psalms, those seeking forgiveness were expelled from the church on account of their sins just as Adam and Eve were driven out of Paradise because of their disobedience. They were not allowed to remove their penitential clothing or reenter the church during or before Maundy Thursday until after they had been reconciled by the long penance of Lent and by confession, forgiveness, and absolution.
The ceremony of the Blessing and Imposition of Ashes, as we know it today, is a relic of these former practices of public sorrow. Since the eleventh and twelfth centuries everyone, congregation and clergy alike, confesses guilt and undertakes to be “converted” by showing public sorrow to seek the mercy of Almighty God Who always pardons sinners who repent. We should make a point of receiving the ashes in a spirit of humility and sorrow that by this act we receive God’s Love and Forgiveness sought by the Church through the imposition of ashes.
Lent, as a period of 40 days, came into being as a result of a long period of development. Originally in the first century, Lent was a period of 40 hours in keeping with the 40 hours Jesus’ Body was in the tomb. The 40 hours observance ended with an Easter worship service at 3:00 A.M. Later the 40 hours grew into six days during the third century. The six days were not the last week in Lent but an extension of the 40 hours. These six days were known as “Holy Week,” days of strict abstinence. Holy Week observance began in Jerusalem during the fourth century. Services were held on the appropriate day at the actual place where a special event took place during the last week of Jesus’ Life. When Holy Week was celebrated in the West, they substituted the actual place for the Stations of The Cross, still used by the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Eastern Orthodox, and yes, even some Lutheran churches today.
The six days grew to 36 days, as a tithe (a tenth) for the 365 days of the year. By 731 AD., the time of Charlemagne, four days were added to make the present 40 days. Sundays are never a part of Lent. We speak of the Sundays “in” not “of” Lent. Each Sunday of the Church Year is thought of as a “mini” Easter when we are to share in the Eucharist (Holy Communion, The Lord’s Supper), and celebrate Christ’s Resurrection and New Life given as a gift to us.
Lent, beginning Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021, this year), is a 40 day period of repentance and renewal preceding Easter, The Feast Day of The Resurrection of Our Lord (which is on Sunday, April 4, 2021, this year).
Lent can be a special time for meditation, prayer, and penitential practices. It can be a time to increase our understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, a time of recommitment to the Christian life. Observing Lent prepares us to celebrate Easter, The Resurrection of Our Lord, more fully.
Lent means “Spring.” The word “Lent” comes from the same root as the word “lengthen.” It is an old word for springtime, when daytime lengthens rapidly. Spring does not just happen in one day; neither does renewal. Lent is the Church’s Spring!
May the Peace of The LORD be with you through your journey these forty days and this season of Lent. A very Blessed Lent to you!
Sincerely, Pastor Jon Beake