Ash Wednesday

The day before the beginning of Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday. In New Orleans, it is celebrated as the final day of Mardi gras, which traditionally stretches from the day after Epiphany until Shrove Tuesday. However, the major celebrations are during the final week. Most European cultures have traditionally celebrated Shrove Tuesday. This is the day when all the fats in the house are collected and used to make various items. Many times, it takes the form of pancake. The symbolism here is the "sun" which is making an increased presence during the spring season. Hence, the day is sometimes referred to as "Pancake Tuesday".

The idea is to rid the home of all meats and fats before the period of fasting begins on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Germans use the fat to make a square pastry without any holes that is somewhat similar to a doughnut in taste and texture. It is called a Fasnacht. The Pennsylvania German peoples look forward to eating these Fasnachts with great anticipation. It's a once-a-year tradition. Of course, the word Fasnacht means "fast night", referring to the coming Lenten fast.

The following day is known by Christians as "Ash Wednesday". It is a very solemn day, and a day of repentance, fasting, prayer, and remorse. The practice of placing ashes on the forehead probably goes back to ancient Hebrew practices of wearing "sackcloth and ashes" as a symbol of penitence. In many churches, the palms from the previous Palm Sunday are burned, and the ashes are used to form the sign of the cross on the forehead of the worshipper on Ash Wednesday.

All of this is in the form of preparation for Lent. The word Lent refers to the lengthening of the days in the springtime. This is another example of how Christians adapted pagan celebrations to their own purposes. By observing Lent, we are joining Jesus in the wilderness for his forty-day period of preparation for his ministry. In the ancient scriptures the number forty always represented a time of cleansing and preparation. Hence, Lent is observed for a period of forty days.

Prayer: God of mercy, as we begin this season of Lent, we are reminded of the trials experienced by your son, Jesus. As he went through a forty-day period of preparation in the wilderness, you walked with him and supported him. So we are facing a forty day period of prayer, fasting, penitence and remorse. As we wind our way through the dark valleys of reflection, we know that you will be by our side.

Teach us how to lean on you for support. We try so hard to do things our own way. But so often that independence leads us down the wrong path. We need to seek and accept the strength that comes only by following your will. Minister to us as we attempt to minister to others. We ask that you would be especially near those who are sick and hurting. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.