Ash Wednesday isn’t just about walking around with an ashen cross on your forehead. It marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a season that’s all about reflection and repentance. It falls 46 days before Easter, not including Sundays. The ashes serve as a reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return.
But where do these ashes come from? Actually, the palms burned on the previous year’s Palm Sunday are saved till the following Ash Wednesday. They are typically mixed with Holy Water to create that inky texture.
“During the Mass I was moved by the participation of our school as a whole and as the Mass went on felt prepared for what was to come, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,” said senior Jadin Gonzalez.
It’s commonly known that on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent you are not supposed to eat meat, but why?
This is for two main reasons. First, meat has been seen as a symbol of prosperity throughout history. So by giving it up one day of the week, we are showing our willingness to make sacrifices for God.
Second, it’s a reflection of the life of Jesus Christ. He sacrificed his blood and flesh on Good Friday, so we should honor him and abstain from eating any meat.
Why is it important to reflect and repent during Lent? Jesus spent 40 days in the desert before beginning his public ministry. There he fasted and resisted temptation from things that would lead him astray from his father.
Today, we fast and give up something to help us be closer to God. This creates opportunities for us to reflect, pray, and grow as individuals.
Not only is it important for us to give up something, but also to take on something positive, whether it be spending more time with family and friends, doing small acts of kindness, or helping out to those in need.
What are you giving up for Lent? Here’s some inspiration:
“For this Lenten season I will be giving up sugary drinks and snacks. Although they are my favorite, I want to work on strengthening my faith,” said junior Joaquin Martinelli.
“I will be giving up being on my phone a lot. I feel like I’m not as productive as I should be because of how distracting it can be so I want to work on improving that,” explained junior Isabelle Silva.
