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These are just a couple of examples from scripture of ashes being used as a sign of our repentance. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

I will question you, and you declare to me.”

Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. I have uttered what I did not understand, Job, too, repents in dust and ashes, after realizing he had questioned God about things that he did not understand: When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. After Jonah (finally!) did what the Lord asked of him, and called on the people of Nineveh to repent, the king of Nineveh covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes (Jonah 3:6) as a sign of mourning and to show repentance for his sins. A good example of this is in the Book of Jonah. The first reason for receiving ashes is that it connects us to people throughout Scripture who regarded ashes as a symbol of mourning and repentance. Why Ashes? They are a Sign of Mourning and Repentance So, why do it? Why do we have a day set aside in our liturgical calendar to remind ourselves of this? It seems kind of morbid, doesn’t it? But there are several reasons why it is not only important for us to do this, but also why so many Christians find it such a meaningful act. Kneeling at the altar, eyes closed, leaning forward in trust, it was very emotional for me to trace a cross in ashes on their foreheads as I gently spoke these words: “ Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” I still remember my first Ash Wednesday as a pastor, over twenty years ago now, and especially imposing the ashes on the foreheads of my wife and children (who were 6 and almost 3 at the time). Joel 2:1Īsh Wednesday brings back many memories for me.

The worship service itself is very moving, beginning with a powerful reading from the prophet Joel:īlow the trumpet in Zion sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near.