Ash Wednesday is observed by many Christians Countries, including Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Old Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, and some Baptists.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It is a holy day in the Christian community in which they pray, fast and Repentance( a stage in which a Christian Salvation where the believer turns away from sin.)Ash day marks the beginning of the Lent and comes 46-day before Easter Sunday. It is saying that on this 40 day time Christ faced temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him.
When is Ash Wednesday in 2019?
It will come on March 6, 2019
What is special about Ash Wednesday?
On this day people place ashes on their foreheads during the time of repentance and say the words”Repent, and believe in the gospel”. Or the dictum”Remember you are dust, and to dust, you shall return”. Ash is prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration. We use ashes to remind us that life passes away on earth.
Why it is called Ash Wednesday?
On Ancient time people use ashes to represent grief. In this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.
In the Bible, there is a story which explains why it is celebrated.
When Tamar was raped by her half-brother, “she sprinkled ashes on her head, tore her robe, and with her face buried in her hand went away crying”(Samuel 13:19). Then in Job42:3-6, job says to god: ‘I have heard of thee by hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee. therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”The prophet Jeremiah calls for repentance by saying: O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes”
(jer6:26). The prophet Daniel recounted pleading to god: “I turned to the Lord God, pleading in prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes”. From then practices have been followed.
What not to eat on Ash Wednesday?
On Ash Wednesday one meal a day is allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter should be forbidden. There is also no consumption of oil, Wine and dairy product. In the west, these fasting rules are less strict. The strict law of fasting among Roman Catholics was dispensed during World War 2, and only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday now kept as Lenten fast day.
Verses in which you can meditate on Ash Wednesday?
If you interested in Ash Wednesday and thinking about taking fast. Here is some verse you can meditate on so you can calm your mind, and prayer you can pray to observe the day.
Our Creation: Genesis 2:7- Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Our Curse: Genesis 3:19- By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground Since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Our Cry of Repentance: Psalms:51:7-10: Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; Let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
