Another Ash Wednesday Is Here
By Norbert Fidelis
Today is Ash Wednesday, it marks the beginning of another Lenten season , and Catholic faithfuls all over the world commemorate this day, by attending mass, and having a cross marked ash on their forehead . It is also a day to abstain from meat, and fast
The significance of the Ash is to remind us that , we came from dust and shall also go back to dust. Also, it emphasizes the fact that we should reflect on our relationship with the creator , and express sorrow and grief over our sins, as a sign of repentance .
In Biblical days, ashes were used to express grief and sorrow. Tamar sprinkled ashes on her head , when she was raped by her half brother, Jeremiah called on the people of Israel to repent of their sins, by rolling in ashes , also, Jesus Christ told the Jews that if he had performed the miracles he did for them for the people of Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in ashes and sackcloth
Ash Wednesday is the begining of the 40 days Lenten season for Christians. During this period , Christians, especially Catholics ,are expected to fast and abstain from sin . However, healthy people , who are in the age bracket, 18- 59 yrs, are expected to fast. Fasting can be done by eating breakfast and forfeiting lunch and dinner , or eating lunch and forfeiting breakfast and dinner. Better still, one can eat only dinner, and forfeit breakfast and lunch. Whichever way you want it. Also, fasting is not just abstinence from food, but also from sin and other things that give us worldly pleasure.
Again, it is necessary to observe the spiritual obligations of the Lenten season , by attending the stations of the cross on Wednesdays and Fridays, and partaking in the Holy Week rituals. The Holy week comes immediately after Palm Sunday , and it’s the last week before Easter. It is accompanied by the Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Holy Thursday is the day our Lord Jesus Christ had his last supper with his disciples, and Good Friday is the day he died by crucifixion. The name Good Friday , is because , if he hadn’t died that day, there wouldn’t have been any resurrection, and Christianity would have not been in existence .
As we go through another 40 Days of Lenten Season, we pray that the good Lord give us the grace, to desist from sin , perform our spiritual obligations , and rise with him.on resurrection day 🙏
