Category Image Out of the Ashes


Ash Wednesday Worship: February 6, 2008



February 6th at 7:00 p.m.
By Michael Ekbladh
The ashes used in the service of worship are sacramentals, not a sacrament. The ashes may be prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. They are blessed according to various rites proper to each liturgical tradition, sometimes involving the use of Holy Water. In some churches they are mixed with light amounts of water or olive oil, which serves as a fixative.

In most liturgies for Ash Wednesday, the Penitential psalms are read; Psalm 51 is especially associated with this day. The service also often includes a corporate prayer of confession. Ash Wednesday is a time for repentance and the beginning of Lent. Ashes
were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express penitence. Dusting themselves with ashes was the penitent’s way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. An ancient example of one expressing his penitence is found in Job 42:3-6.
Job says to God, “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me which I did not know. Hear and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

This service takes on significant meaning as it begins our journey to the Cross on Good Friday and our hope restored in Christ’s resurrection on Easter. Come, be at one God.

Posted: Friday - February 01, 2008 at 02:41 PM           |

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