Is it meaningful to you, or do you do it because you've always done it, or because someone else wanted you to?
2007-02-21 04:51:48 · 12 answers · asked by Scotty Doesnt Know 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Unlike many who have already answered here, Lent happens to be my favorite time of the liturgical year; the time to focus on Jesus' passion -- his suffering and death on our behalf. There is no act more beautiful than Christ's death. As the song
says, "What wondrous love is this."
When I have ashes placed on my forehead it reminds me not just of our sin and "dustness," but what Christ sacrificed that we may have eternal life.
I would simply link the LCMS webpage, but I'd like to cut and paste it here, in hopes that someone who wouldn't bother to click the link would read it.
Please know that Ash Wednesday and Christ are more than just what my particular denomination posts on their website.
For me it is like the words of the song, "When I survey the Wondrous Cross":
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Q. Would you please explain the significance of Ash Wednesday. I've seen some people in the past with black ash crosses on their foreheads
A. Lutheran Worship: History and Practice, the recent commentary on Lutheran Worship, one of our Synod's hymnals, says this about ashes on Ash Wednesday: "Other customs may be used, particularly the imposition of ashes on those who wish it. This ancient act is a gesture of repentance and a powerful reminder about the meaning of the day. Ashes can symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind worshipers of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying. If they are applied during an act of kneeling, the very posture of defeat and submission expresses humility before God."
The use of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a more recent custom among most LCMS congregations, although some have done it for decades. The ashes are usually derived from the burned palms from the previous Palm Sunday. Experience will show, however, that in obtaining ashes this way, it doesn't take many ashes to "ash" a whole congregation. Like sin, they are very dirty and go a long way. One palm leaf will produce enough ashes for several years.
Usually the pastor takes the ashes on the end of his thumb and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each worshiper, saying these words: "Remember: you are dust, and to dust you shall return." This follows most effectively prior (or as part of) the Service Corporate Confession and Absolution on pp. 308-309 of Lutheran Worship.
--from www.lcms.org
2007-02-21 09:07:12 · answer #1 · answered by doublewidemama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i replaced into busy attempting restore a busted gadget... when I regarded on the clock next, i might want to neglected the damn experience. as well, do not they ever ask your self how a lot means (through surge) human beings use in turning their lighting fixtures fixtures and heavy gadgets back on afterwards? It takes an outstanding concentration of means to means up a gadget, which makes the completed experience type of unnecessary. And sure, I already knew about the idea of international warming.
2016-10-17 08:24:52 · answer #2 · answered by pellenz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because that`s called religion;instead I read the bible on how God protected His people in hard times and struggles in the book of isaiah.
2007-02-21 04:57:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, like the English cricket team I don't have any ashes.
2007-02-21 04:55:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is important to me but, I can not go this year as I am recovering from a nasty flu bug. I am guilty of the sin of pride a lot so I like to go get reminded that I am dirt walkin'
2007-02-21 05:00:51 · answer #5 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to when I was younger and never will again. It meant nothing to me at the time.
2007-02-21 04:55:58 · answer #6 · answered by Militant Agnostic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm born again.....no need for ashes on my head.
It's just symbolic.....as is everything in the catholic faith.
2007-02-21 04:54:36 · answer #7 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What would be the meaning, other than "I'm holier than thou."
2007-02-21 04:57:27 · answer #8 · answered by Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did Jesus do ashes? show Me and I will do it...dont show me and I wont..
2007-02-21 04:58:42 · answer #9 · answered by Pastor Biker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not do that. It's a Catholic tradition.
2007-02-21 04:56:40 · answer #10 · answered by cmw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋