We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”         ~2 Corinthians 4:10-12

I remember vividly being about 10 and a struggle I had on Ash Wednesday. We had gone to church for the service and on my forehead was that ashy cross. My mom asked if I wanted to stop at the library which was open until 8pm. I have always been a reader and loved nothing more than stopping for a huge armful of books, but I was at the age when you first start getting self-conscious about everything. I didn’t want everyone to stare at the dark cross on my forehead. And yet somehow I also sensed that I shouldn’t just rub it off. What to do?!

What is this ash on our foreheads and why is this a thing? On Ash Wednesday, the ashes are often from last year’s palms from Palm Sunday. For us, at Gethsemane, our Sunday School kids collected and burned the palms and collected the ashes that we will use this year. The ashes on our forehead are a visible and tangible sign of the season of Lent. We are reminded of our mortality and complete dependence on God. And dating back to the Old Testament times, ashes were a symbol or repentance and turning away from sin and once more orientating ourselves to Christ.

And so I hope whether you come to Ash Wednesday service and have literal ashes placed upon your forehead or if you just symbolically remember that we are from dust and to dust we shall return, that you will take time during Lent to turn from those things that distract and draw you away from God. I hope you turn to God in prayer and worship and other spiritual practices. For Christ is calling us to follow him to the cross. For it is only through death that we come to know resurrection. It is only through the dark night of the tomb that we can experience the joy of Easter morning. 

I look forward to journeying to the cross with you this Lent.

Pastor Rebecca