This upcoming Wednesday, February 14, is not only Valentine’s Day, but it is also Ash Wednesday, a day observed by many Christians which signifies the beginning of the season of Lent, 40 days of solemn reflection and preparation for Easter. Ash Wednesday has been an important festival day in the Roman Catholic Church for centuries, but it is also traditional in many Protestant Christian bodies as well.
Over the last thirty years, Lutheran scholars have been reemphasizing traditions that make worship meaningful and were always part of the Lutheran expression of faith in Europe and in many American Lutheran groups until the 1900’s.
There are three reasons why Christians go to church to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. First, the ashes remind people of their sinfulness. Second, the ashes remind people of their mortality. Third, the ashes remind people that they have been redeemed. Ash Wednesday, then, is a special occasion in which the faithful humbly come before the Lord, repent of their sinful ways, and receive a visible reminder of the free gift of Grace through Jesus Christ. Interestingly, the ashes Lutherans receive are traditionally made out of the palm branches used previously on the previous year’s Palm Sunday - this serves as a powerful reminder that people are sinful, death is real, but Resurrection Day (Easter) is coming!
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1905 Avenue I (Sundown Highway & Avenue I), will be providing “Ashes To Go” for anyone wishing to receive the most visible indicator of observing Ash Wednesday, the ashen Sign of the Cross imposed on one’s forehead. This is intended especially for people in our community who are not part of a church, or if your church does not typically observe Lent in this manner. All are welcome, participants are not required to be a member of St. Paul or Lutheran. “Ashes to Go” will be available from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the church- please park, go inside, and Pastor Eric Saed will be there to greet people, pray with them, and give the mark of the Cross.