Ash Wednesday emphasizes a dual encounter; we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God.  Such confessions, however, are done in light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ.  Ashes are implemented as a visual and tangible representation of something that has been broken down.  Yet, at the same time, contained within the ashes are the ingredients or nutrients for future growth.  Therefore, the imposition of the ashes on the foreheads of the faithful signifies our acknowledgment of brokenness wrought by sin, but also the reconciliation bought by Christ Jesus who redemptively takes our brokeness and creates new life. 

Therefore, ashes are a powerful, nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation. 

Catch up from Wednesday night and listen to the reflection given during the Ash Wednesday service. 

Matthew 6: 1-6; 16-21