Why the Ashes?


Putting ashes on our heads as a form of penitence is a practice inherited from Jewish tradition. In Old Testament times, fast days expressed sorrow for sins and the desire to make atonement to the Father. Ashes, for Jews and Christians alike, are a sign of repentance, sorrow, and mourning. The King of Nineveh believed the prophecy of Jonah and fasted forty days wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes to save the city, and ordered the people to do so, too [Jonah 3:4-10]. Jeremiah calls Israel to "wallow in ashes" of repentance [Jeremiah 6:26]. Abraham speaks of being unworthy to speak with God because he is "but dust and ashes" [Gen 2:7] -- being man, he is created from dust. Jesus also refers to this symbol in Matthew 11:21, "Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."

The ashes imposed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are a reminder of our unworthiness and sinfulness,­ sinfulness that corrupts and stains us and leads to death (we return to the dust from whence we came.) Ashes remind us of our original sin and our need of redemption, our need to be cleansed of sin and made worthy of Salvation. This is why the priest says, as he imposes ashes on our foreheads, "Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you will return" [Genesis 3:19] or Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel. [Mark 1:15]

Thanks to http://www.wf-f.org/LentSeason.html for the information.
What an interesting and excellent explanation.

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I am looking forward to hearing how The Passion does tonight.

Here is a link to a review by Roger Ebert

I don't always agree with him...but he *knows* the movies.

http://www.suntimes.com/index/ebert.html

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Here is a recipie for a delicious dinner.

At 7:00 am put a pork roast in a crock pot. (mine was frozen)
Cook on high all day.
One hour before serving, add a whole bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce.
(I went to Damon's to get my husband's favorite)

Serve on a bun.

Chips, fries, apple sauce, cottage cheese....

The easiest most delicious meal...in my humble opinion ;o)



Encourage one another,
Donna