Ash Wednesday...

...it's so early this year! I have barely put away Christmas decorations and now Resurrection Sunday is only 40 days away! Unlike Advent, Lent has an austere feel to it - probably because we're supposed to be somber and fasting, ridding ourselves of some indulgence, reminding us of our lowly and sinful state. And for some odd reason I prefer Lent to Advent. Call me crazy but I never get tired of reminding myself how wretched a fool am I.

But Dave has challenged our family to not only take away some luxury this season, but to give something in return. Taking away and giving back. Taking away (my Lent standard when I was a child) chocolate and giving food. I love to cook. I'm pretty good at it so I'm going to give this "gift" to the widows in our church - cooking dinners. I'm a little reluctant to broadcast what I'm doing, seems a tad arrogant - look what I'm doing-ish. But it also holds me accountable. I love the idea of looking to others needs and not just self-centering on what I'm so selflessly (smirk) giving up - chocolate (which I do hope that by broadcasting that fast, I will be kept accountable).

Through mommylife.net I found a site that lists various traditions surrounding Lent. I will be looking there throughout the season and sharing with you ideas to use during these 40 days.

From Catholic.org:

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes
Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told

"Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.

The Ashes
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.