Why I Love Ash Wednesday

Along with Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday, Ash Wednesday sits at the top of my list of most-loved days on the Christian calendar.  Yes, it's above Christmas/Christmas Eve.  And Pentecost, Epiphany, etc.

I love Ash Wednesday; I always have.

I really love the entire Lenten season, actually.  And here's why:

1. I love the idea of ashes as a way of beginning a season of remembrance and action.  The Bible offers so many examples of God using fire to show His presence.  He used the pillars of fire and smoke to guide the Israelites through the wilderness after their departure from Egypt.  He spoke to Moses through a burning bush. He took Elijah up to Heaven in a chariot engulfed by flames.  We often see flames as the image of the Holy Spirit. And on and on.  So, to me, using ashes as the symbol that leads us into this season is a great one, as ashes are created through the work of fire.  It's nice to think that we are being marked as people in whom God has worked, and through whom God has made His presence known; that it marks the beginning of a season that typically is known for sacrifice and introspection is even better, as we receive the gentle reminder that God's work in us is not yet complete, while also receiving the encouragement that, despite our (many) imperfections, we are still usable and valuable.

2. We need to take the time to evaluate--and reevaluate--the things that we do and the ways that we invest our resources.  Ideally, we'd do this on a fairly consistent basis, but that is easier said than done.  The lenten season is nice in that it creates a window of time where we can intentionally do just that--take a look at our lives, look at how we spend our money, our time, our energy--and, from there, we can figure out if those choices reflect the life we hope that we have.  Let's face it: we wonder what others think about us.  That's not always a positive thing, of course, but if we can use that as a source of motivation to become the best people that we can be, then that's a good thing.

3. This is a great time to remember why we say we believe as we do.  In the church today, there's so much debate over this and that and the other thing.  In so many ways, the church is one of the most divisive communities that exist today, and that is a very scary and sad thing.  How can we, as Christians, expect anyone else to think that our faith is legitimate when we can't even come to terms with regard to what our faith really "is" or "ought to be"?  And, don't get me wrong: I do think we need to get to the bottom of some of those issues if we are to move forward as one body.  However, as we navigate our way through the story of Jesus--seeing all of the good that he did on earth, and the even greater good that he did in his death and resurrection--we can be reminded that that is the whole point of our faith.

There are other reasons--more sentimental reasons, quite honestly--but those are the three that seem to be most relevant to others.  Thoughts, anyone? :)