Various Spiritual meanings of Ashes

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Ash Wednesday*

*14 -02-2024*

*Gospel : Mt 6:1-6, 16-18*

*First Reading : Jl 2:12-18*

*Various Spiritual meanings of Ashes*

*1) Ash Wednesday*

The season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday

Since ashes are being used to apply on the head, this Wednesday came to be known as Ash Wednesday 

So, on this day, ashes play a very important role to communicate a powerful message. 

So it the right time to know the spiritual meaning of the Ashes 

*2) Ashes Reminds us about Death*

After Adam sinned, God told him, *By the sweat of your brow 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 (Gen 3:19)*.

This clearly speaks about the death. So it is an occasion for us to reflect about our own death and what we will have in our death 

*3) It is a symbol of Humility*

*My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes”* (Job 42:3-6).

Notice that Job does not merely repent in a general sense. Rather, having encountered God, he realizes that God is God, and that he is mere dust and ashes in the presence of God, who is being itself, who is all in all. 

Ash Wednesday reminds us the importance of the humility which we need to practice in our day today life 

*4) A sign of a true change*

*Scripture says, When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust* (Jonah 3:6).

Here, ashes seem as a sign of repentance.  But the symbol alone is not enoug actual repentance is required. 

Lent is a time for my own repentance

*5) It is a symbol  Purification*

Ashes represent for purification

During this season, we give special attention to purifying ourselves 

In fact that is one of the main purposes to ashes, that is purification

*6) What are my convictions about Ashes?*

As I apply the ashes, as I begin this Lenten season, what are my convictions? 

Does this practice remain only as a external sign? 

Does this ash give any special meaning to my life 

As I apply *ashes* tomorrow, what I want to become and why I should practice these tractional practices

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*