What is Ash Wednesday?

Feb. 11—Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday, Feb. 14. We will meet at FaithPoints For Living Church at noon to celebrate. You are invited to attend this special day of a 40 day journey to Easter. We are located at 2311 N. Ind. 3, Suite 120. Come around to the back of the Urgent Care building (next to Chili's).

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a period of 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday. This day holds great significance for Christians as it is a time of reflection, repentance and preparation for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

The origins of Ash Wednesday can be traced back to the Old Testament, where ashes were used as a symbol of mourning and repentance. In the book of Job, we see Job sitting in ashes as a sign of his grief and repentance before God. In the New Testament, Jesus also speaks of using ashes as a symbol of repentance in Matthew 11:21, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

On Ash Wednesday, Christians attend a service where they receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This act serves as a reminder of our mortality and the need for repentance. The ashes are typically made from the burnt palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday, symbolizing the journey from celebration to sacrifice.

The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by the devil. It is a time for Christians to reflect on their own spiritual journey and to follow Jesus' example of self-denial and preparation for his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.

During Lent, many Christians choose to give up something as a form of sacrifice and self-discipline. This could be a favorite food, activity or habit. The purpose of this sacrifice is to focus on our spiritual growth and dependence on God rather than worldly pleasures.

In addition to giving up something, many Christians also take on a spiritual discipline during Lent such as daily prayer, Bible reading or acts of service. These practices help to deepen our relationship with God and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.

As a Christian, I find the season of Lent to be a time of great introspection and growth. It is a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and the importance of repentance and spiritual discipline in our lives. It is also a time to refocus our priorities and draw closer to God. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this season and to be reminded of the depth of God's love for us.

Dr. Michael Layne can be reached at 812-503-2170 or, www.faithpoints.org