According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and
Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by
Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of
prayer and fasting. Of the 46 days until Easter, six are Sundays. As the
Christian Sabbath, Sundays are not included in the fasting period and are
instead "feast" days during Lent.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of participants as a celebration and reminder of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday.
A funny story. My daughter Grace asked me whether Lent was that season when people give up something. I said, "Yes, it is. Often people will give up chocolate, or coffee, or something else they really enjoy." She thought about that for a moment, and then asked, "What do you think you'll give up for Lent?"
I said, "Hmmm. Oh...I've got it! I'm going to give up wearing clothes in public."
She said in an exaggeratedly thoughtful way, "You know Dad. I don't think God would want you to do that."
She knows me too well...
