Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and the countdown to Easter Sunday. The season brings particular Scriptures to mind, verses that help us meditate on the season’s themes.
On Ash Wednesday, many Christians put ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance. It also helps us remember our mortality and where we came from. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent with an emphasis on repenting from our sins. In the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, we repent of the sins that Jesus died to wipe away.
Traditionally, people fast from food during the Lent season, but fasting is more fundamental. In fasting, we give up something and focus that time on prayer (for strength, for confession, or any number of reasons). The Bible reminds us that we should not be arrogant about our fasting, but it is a good activity that we should practice.
Photo and Audio Credit: ©Getty Images and Soundstripe.com