What is Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It’s a day that invites Christians to take a deeper look at their lives, to be honest with God and themselves, and to realign their hearts with Him.
The central symbol of Ash Wednesday is the placing of ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross. These ashes come from the palms used on Palm Sunday the previous year, reminding believers of the cycle of life, faith, and redemption. The words spoken as the ashes are applied—“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”—are a poignant reminder of our mortality. But they are also an invitation to recognize our dependence on God and the hope we have in Him.
Ash Wednesday is not about feeling weighed down by guilt or shame. It’s about grace. The ashes remind us of our need for forgiveness, but they also point us to the incredible truth that forgiveness is freely available through Jesus. The cross on our foreheads is a powerful symbol of the love that led Jesus to give His life for us so that we could be restored to relationship with God.
This day calls us to repentance—not just saying sorry, but turning away from the things that separate us from God and turning toward Him. It’s an opportunity to start afresh, to step into the fullness of life Jesus offers.
Ash Wednesday also sets the tone for Lent. It’s a time to strip back distractions, to fast, to pray, and to focus on what truly matters: our relationship with God and our call to love others.
Ultimately, Ash Wednesday is an invitation to go deeper—to experience God’s grace, to walk in His love, and to prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. It’s not an end but a beginning. A chance to start again.
Dates
Ash Wednesday in 2025 falls on March 5.