Why Ashes on Ash Wednesday as we begin Lent

 The Biblical references to ashes as we prepare for Ash Wednesday:

God tells Adam after, after they disobey God by eating the fruit from the tree: " By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; for you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return."  Genesis 3:19.

When Abrahan was pleading with God on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah, in total humility Abraham speaks, "see how I am presuming to speak my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes!"  Genesis 18:27.

When the people in Nineveh, after the efforts of Jonah, believed God and needed to repent, we read, "all of them, great and small put on sackcloth.  The King to covered himself with sackcloth and sat in the ashes."  Jonah 3:5-6.

In the book of Job, we see several examples of dust and ashes.  When Job taught his wife that we should accept good things from God; should we not accept evil?  He sat among the ashes.  Job 2:8. Also, they tore their garments and threw dust upon their heads.  Job 2:12. Job pleading his cause cry's out " I am leveled with dust and ashes.  Job 30:19. At the lowest point in his life, Job repents and proclaims, "I disown what I have said and repent in dust and ashes.  Job 42:6.

In the book of Esther we read, "the Jews were in deep mourning, with fasting and weeping, and lament; they all slept on sackcloth and ashes."  Esther 4:3.

Finally, in Ezekiel, over the lament of Tyre, we read, "shouting bitter cries. strewing dust on their heads, rolling in the ashes.  Ezekiel 27:30.

In summary of the Old Testament references to ashes, we see these themes: Repentance, Mourning & Sorrowing, Ritual & Sacrifice.

Additionally, reference to these Old Testament practices, particularly regarding Repentance are again mentioned in Paul's letter to the Romans (12:15) and 1st Peter (5:6).  Jesus makes mention of ashes and dust in the Gospel of Matthew.  

The traditional practice of Ash Wednesday dates back in the early church for over 1,500 years and is mentioned in the Council of Nicea.  By the year 1091, Pope Urban II recommended the use of ashes during the Holy Season of Lent.  Many Church Fathers refer to ashes to repent like Eusebius and Tertullian as well as Pope Zephyrinus in the 4th century.

So, there are real and powerful symbols that we receive ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday.

Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return!