WATCHWORD:
Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:19
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:7-10
Meditation:
Ash Wednesday (Tomorrow)
Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is not considered a Holy Day, it simply marks the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual renewal which informs us and helps us prepare for the celebration of the mystery of Christ, his passion, death and resurrection.
Many churches hold Ash Wednesday Services during which ashes are imprinted on the forehead of worshippers as a reminder of our earthly mortality and a call to repentance. The ashes are made by burning the palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday. The ashes are blessed by the pastor, who then dips his thumb in them and makes the Sign of the Cross on each person’s forehead, while saying these words: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” or “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
The season of Lent is 40-days (not counting Sundays) which is marked by repentance, fasting, and reflection. The season ends with Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the foot washing and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Disciples. In many churches, a Seder, representative of Jesus’ Last Supper, is held on Maundy Thursday.
Why 40 days? This period represents Christ’s time in the desert of Judah, a time of temptation where He fasted and where Satan tempted Him. For Christians, the Lenten season is a time set aside of intentional focus on the life of Christ, His ministry, sacrifice, and His Resurrection.
Throughout these 40 days of Lent, we will be following the Scripture passages and the Prayers found on BibleStudyTools.com.
Lenten Passage to Ponder:
1 Peter 5:6: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Daily Lenten Scriptures:
Daily Scripture passages through next Wednesday: Ash Wednesday, 1 Peter 5:6 • Thursday, Psalm 118:25-26 • Friday, 1 Samuel 15:22 • Saturday, Matthew 4:1-2 • Monday, Mark 1:12-13 • Tuesday, Matthew 6:1 • Wednesday, Philippians 3:10-11
Lenten Prayer:
Lord, I am not my own. I am a sinner and I have fallen short of your glory, yet you became a man to die on a cross in my place. Thank you for loving me that much, Jesus! In this season, may I be crucified with Christ so I can truly love. Amen.
