smudged with ashes

Lent is less than 24 hours away. Tomorrow I'd go to church and get my forehead smudged with ashes from last year's palms or so we're told. As a Christian, I'm supposed to give up something sinful and/or wrong in my life for the rest of my life especially for the next 40 days. I have no idea what I'll give up this time around, but I must confess that I couldn't give up what I tried last year. Does this make me a bad Christian or a bad person? Well someone upstairs will sure decide.

ashes to ashes, dust to dust

So yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the day church goers get a smudge of black ashes on their foreheads. I'm still trying to understand all the reasons behind this tradition, which marks the beginning of Lent.

As I understand, the ashes are from last year's palms (Palm Sunday). Being smudged with ashes is a reminder that we were created from dirt (mud) and that we'll return to the dirt when we die. It's also seen as a reminder of the sacrament of baptism, in which we were named children of God. A third meaning is penitence for our sins.

Nonetheless last night I went to FAPC to get smudged with ashes. It was a weird and new experience for me to say the least. I had no idea what to say as the pastor put the ashes on my forehead with his right thumb. I think that he smiled at my ignorance.