Soulful Friday
What touched my soul this week.
February 10,2016
I am 78 years old and for the first time since I can remember I did not get to church to receive ashes on
Ash Wednesday.
Many Christian faiths observe Lent and Ash Wednesday
but for those who do not know of it
here are my thoughts.
Ash Wednesday,a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days before Easter and can fall as early as Feb. 4th or as late as 10 March. Ash Wednesday is observed by many Western Christians, including Anglicans, Methodists, and Roman Catholics.
On that day Catholics go to their church and a mark is make on their foreheads with ashes from the Palms burned that were used on Holy Thursday, in the shape of a cross and these words are said.
"Remember man that thou art dust and to dust you shall return."
I don't know if the other Christian faiths have the ashes ceremony or not.
It is a sign of visible witness of our faith and is a reminder that one day we will pass from this earth and be reunited with Jesus Christ our Savior.
Once an adult reaches 65 they are not asked to adhere as strictly to these Lenten rules as when younger.
My hubby and I do some of them.
Whatever we are able to do at any given age is acceptable.
It was a bad day on Wednesday.
Snow covered all over.
I hate to miss these rites but I understand what I am able to do and will spend my Lent in other ways to be in tune with the faith that I love.
Linking up
2 comments:
Very thoughtful post, Peggy. I always go to Mass on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes. This year, we were hosting a dinner party - I hadn't looked at the calendar and didn't realize it was Ash Wednesday when I invited our guests. It worked out though. Our church had several services throughout the afternoon and I was able to pop in and felt much better for it. I changed our menu to a Lenten meal and made a delicious fish soup which everyone raved about.
Enjoy your weekend.
Wishing you well! Happy Valentine's Day!
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