You may have seen Christians, mostly Catholics, walking around with a smear of ash on their foreheads and wondered what it meant. The practice of Ash Wednesday is symbolic within the Christian church to recognize our frailty as humans. It also marks the beginning of the Lent season. This year Ash Wednesday falls on March 5, 2025.
Let's look at the meaning of Ash Wednesday, why people wear ashes, and how Christians observe Lent.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent.In the Catholic observation of Ash Wednesday, a priest applies a smudge of ash on people's foreheads in the shape of a cross. As it is applied, the phrase "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" is often spoken. The ash is meant to communicate grief and sorrow over sins and repentance through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. While the observation of Ash Wednesday has historically been within the Catholic Church, several protestant denominations have begun to commemorate the day with similar services.
Ash Wednesday initiates the 40-day period of Lent, during which we reflect on Jesus' 40-day fast and temptation in the desert. Preceding Ash Wednesday, "Shrove Tuesday" or "Fat Tuesday" serves as an occasion for indulgence and feasting, often marked by enjoying foods like pancakes. This celebration precedes our observance of fasting on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season.
What is the meaning of wearing ashes and where do they come from?
The ashes used on Ash Wednesday typically come from the burning of palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. After Palm Sunday, the palm branches are collected, dried, and burned to create the ashes used in the Ash Wednesday service. These ashes are then mixed with a small amount of water or oil to create a paste, which is applied to the foreheads of worshippers in the shape of a cross as a symbol of repentance and mortality.
The ashes are used to keep us in mind of our humble origin and of how the body of Adam, our forefather, was formed out of the dust of the earth; also to remind us of death, when our bodies will return to dust, and of the necessity of doing penance for our sins.
While the ashes remind us that we will die and return to the ground, if we believe in Jesus, we will be raised with Him in glorious new bodies.
Who can receive the ashes?
You'll see a diverse group of people receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. It's not just for Catholics; many Christian denominations, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and some Protestant churches, take part in this meaningful tradition. So, if you're wondering whether you can join in, the answer is likely yes.
For Catholics, it's a familiar and important part of their faith practice, welcoming everyone from infants to the elderly to receive ashes as a symbol of repentance and renewal. Non-Catholics and even those who aren't baptized are generally welcome to receive ashes, too. It's seen as a gesture of reflection and a step toward spiritual growth.
Kids often participate as well. Parents bring them along to receive ashes, introducing them to the themes of Lent from a young age. And in many places, you'll find ecumenical services, where different Christian communities come together, emphasizing unity and shared faith.
What is Lent and is Ash Wednesday in the Bible?
Although Ash Wednesday is enriched with Christian symbolism, we don’t actually find an instance of this particular holiday in the Bible. The holiday didn’t have a biblical origin, but owing to the Council of Nicea implementing a 40-day fasting period prior to Easter, many debated as to when that period would start. In the fifth century, Pope Gregory transferred the beginning day of Lent from a Sunday to Ash Wednesday. However, fasting and prayer have strong Biblical foundations and guidelines.
The symbolism of repentance and grief continues from Ash Wednesday into the Lenten season through the observation of fasting and prayer. The 40 days of Lent symbolize the period of fasting and spiritual preparation that Jesus underwent in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry. This time of reflection and self-denial is observed by Christians as a way to spiritually align themselves with Jesus' journey and to prepare their hearts for Easter, the celebration of His resurrection.
The story of Jesus' temptation is recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. After being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted for 40 days and nights. During this time, Satan tempted Him three times, each time trying to exploit His hunger and weakness. Jesus resisted each temptation by quoting Scripture and reaffirming His commitment to God. This story highlights Jesus' victory over temptation and serves as an example of spiritual fortitude and reliance on God's Word.
What is the Meaning of Fasting on Ash Wednesday Through Lent?
While modern-day rules for Ash Wednesday and Lent fasting differ among Catholics, such as abstaining from meat on Fridays and one meatless meal a day on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, many Christians find Lent to be a valuable time of abstaining from specific foods, social media, television or other indulgences to focus on our need for a Savior and the sacrifice of Jesus. Just as Jesus used fasting and prayer to strengthen his faith during his temptation in the desert, we, too, can receive power and strength through these Biblical practices.
Matthew 6:16-18 - “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Isaiah 58:3-7 - ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Luke 4:1-2 - And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.
Use our 40-Day Devotional Guide to lead you in prayer and scripture reading through the Lenten Season!
What to Give Up for Lent
During Lent, it's common for people to give up certain things as a way to practice self-discipline and grow closer to their faith. You'll hear about people giving up all sorts of things, like sweets, coffee, social media, or even habits like gossiping or complaining. The idea is to let go of something that you enjoy or rely on, and use that sacrifice to focus more on your spiritual life.
The tradition of giving something up for Lent goes back to the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, facing temptations. By making a small sacrifice, people try to share in that experience and remind themselves of their faith's deeper meaning. It's not just about deprivation; it's about creating space for prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness.
Some folks might also take on new, positive habits instead of, or in addition to, giving something up. They might commit to daily prayer, volunteer work, or reading a spiritual book. The goal is to use Lent as a time for personal growth and to prepare their hearts for Easter.
The Importance of Observing Ash Wednesday
The key importance of Ash Wednesday lies in the following aspects:
Repentance and Reflection: Ash Wednesday emphasizes the call to repentance and self-reflection. It is a time for believers to examine their lives, acknowledge their shortcomings, and seek forgiveness for their sins.
Symbolism of Ashes: During Ash Wednesday services, ashes are often applied to the foreheads of worshippers in the shape of a cross. The ashes are typically made from the burned palm branches used in the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. The act of receiving ashes symbolizes humility, mortality, and the acknowledgment of one's need for God's mercy.
Beginning of Lent: Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season. Lent is a period of spiritual preparation, fasting, and penance, modeled after Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. It is a time for Christians to draw closer to God through prayer, repentance, and acts of compassion.
Preparation for Easter: The 40 days of Lent are a symbolic journey that leads to Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday sets the tone for this season of spiritual discipline and serves as a reminder of the importance of Christ's sacrifice and the hope of redemption.
Community and Worship: Ash Wednesday services provide a communal experience for believers to come together, participate in rituals, and collectively embark on the Lenten journey. It fosters a sense of shared commitment and spiritual growth within the Christian community.
Overall, Ash Wednesday holds significance as a solemn day of repentance, humility, and preparation for the celebration of Easter. It invites believers to reflect on their faith, embrace a spirit of penitence, and draw nearer to God through intentional spiritual practices.
Ash Wednesday Bible Verses
While Ash Wednesday is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the phrase "ashes to ashes dust to dust" is commonly referenced on Ash Wednesday. The Scriptures referred to are from the Old Testament:
Genesis 2:7 - “God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”
Genesis 3:19 - “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Ecclesiastes 3:20 - “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return”.
The blessing of Ash Wednesday is the reminder that though we are born from dust and return to dust and that sin brought the curse of death to the world, on Good Friday, Jesus paid the penalty for the curse with his death on the cross. Our sins are forgiven on the cross. Then, on Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead, and we have been given the gift of eternal life with Him in new heavenly bodies that will never turn to dust! Let's look at a few Scriptures that can encourage us on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season.
