For my Catholic Friends.
Hey Catholic Friends!
Rare is it that Protestants try to cross the religious gap to Catholics, but since we are all rooted in the same tree that is Christ, I cared to send my blessings as Lent begins. If you did not know, Lent is a Catholic event where Catholics remove something from their lives in an attempt to free themselves from the material, and strive for the spiritual. It’s also a way to remember Christ’s suffering. The day includes 40 days of fasting, with the fast being broken on Sundays. It is determined upon the Catholic Churches Calendar, which would mean that Lent begins 44 days before Easter. Why 40 days? Well we must remember that the Son of God spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, being tempted with every sin known by man. (Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13).
Lent is all about freeing yourself from something you may have an addiction to (as Jesus freed Himself from 40 days of temptation); or something that is so time consuming that it restricts you from finding God on another level. One event to kick off the celebration is called Ash Wednesday (dies cinerama). This is where you find those Catholics marching around with the cross-shaped mark of Ash upon their forehead. In case you did not know, the ash is a symbolic ceremony that is usually associated with two things.
First, as the priest will say, "[Remember man that] thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." (Gen 3:19) In other words, it’s a reference to how God made us from dust, and how we will one day return to it. It is a reminder of our mortality, and how it should not be taken lightly.
The second thing it refers to is how, in the Old Testament, people would repent their sins and express their sorrows to God by covering themselves in sackcloth and ashes. In an attempt to humble oneself before God, men would throw Ash over themselves, and repent their sins. In this same manner, Catholics initiate the event with a symbolic action that ties into that same humbling repentance.
Now the ash itself isn’t something that they go out and buy. The ash is actually the remains of the burnt palms that are used on Palm Sunday. After being burnt, they’re kept, blessed, and placed upon the forehead either alone, with an anointed oil, with holy water, or even infused with incense.
Well I hope this gave some small understanding on why you see people with ash on their foreheads. I actually enjoy seeing Catholics following this ceremony. To witness anyone opening declaring their faith and repentance, along with fasting with the intent of growing closer to God, is always something that warms my heart. Remember that the Christ told us the 1st most important commandment is to love God, and this is all an effort to know Him and love Him more.
I, as a Protestant, am also fasting in my own small way. If you are Catholic, I ask you to openly seek out God. Test Him with your faith. Remove something in your life that distracts you. Whether it be a certain sin, a materialistic item, or anything along the matter; give it up to God! Use this time to toss your sins upon the cross, and renew yourself in Almighty Christ. Spend an hour in His word. Actively seek Him, and use the most out of this blessed opportunity. Whether it is in prayer, Gods word, meditation, devotionals, or praise, actively seek Him out.
With that I want to pray for all the Catholics out there. I want to send out my good wishes, and hope that throughout Lent you may find God on new levels, and humble yourself not only to Him, but others as well. May your rewards surpass your expectations.
“I remind myself that, as I sit here now,
God is gazing on me with love and holding me in being.
I pause for a moment and think of this.”
-http://www.sacredspace.ie/
God Bless, and remember I’m praying for you!
Rare is it that Protestants try to cross the religious gap to Catholics, but since we are all rooted in the same tree that is Christ, I cared to send my blessings as Lent begins. If you did not know, Lent is a Catholic event where Catholics remove something from their lives in an attempt to free themselves from the material, and strive for the spiritual. It’s also a way to remember Christ’s suffering. The day includes 40 days of fasting, with the fast being broken on Sundays. It is determined upon the Catholic Churches Calendar, which would mean that Lent begins 44 days before Easter. Why 40 days? Well we must remember that the Son of God spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert, being tempted with every sin known by man. (Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-13; Lk 4:1-13).
Lent is all about freeing yourself from something you may have an addiction to (as Jesus freed Himself from 40 days of temptation); or something that is so time consuming that it restricts you from finding God on another level. One event to kick off the celebration is called Ash Wednesday (dies cinerama). This is where you find those Catholics marching around with the cross-shaped mark of Ash upon their forehead. In case you did not know, the ash is a symbolic ceremony that is usually associated with two things.
First, as the priest will say, "[Remember man that] thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return." (Gen 3:19) In other words, it’s a reference to how God made us from dust, and how we will one day return to it. It is a reminder of our mortality, and how it should not be taken lightly.
The second thing it refers to is how, in the Old Testament, people would repent their sins and express their sorrows to God by covering themselves in sackcloth and ashes. In an attempt to humble oneself before God, men would throw Ash over themselves, and repent their sins. In this same manner, Catholics initiate the event with a symbolic action that ties into that same humbling repentance.
Now the ash itself isn’t something that they go out and buy. The ash is actually the remains of the burnt palms that are used on Palm Sunday. After being burnt, they’re kept, blessed, and placed upon the forehead either alone, with an anointed oil, with holy water, or even infused with incense.
Well I hope this gave some small understanding on why you see people with ash on their foreheads. I actually enjoy seeing Catholics following this ceremony. To witness anyone opening declaring their faith and repentance, along with fasting with the intent of growing closer to God, is always something that warms my heart. Remember that the Christ told us the 1st most important commandment is to love God, and this is all an effort to know Him and love Him more.
I, as a Protestant, am also fasting in my own small way. If you are Catholic, I ask you to openly seek out God. Test Him with your faith. Remove something in your life that distracts you. Whether it be a certain sin, a materialistic item, or anything along the matter; give it up to God! Use this time to toss your sins upon the cross, and renew yourself in Almighty Christ. Spend an hour in His word. Actively seek Him, and use the most out of this blessed opportunity. Whether it is in prayer, Gods word, meditation, devotionals, or praise, actively seek Him out.
With that I want to pray for all the Catholics out there. I want to send out my good wishes, and hope that throughout Lent you may find God on new levels, and humble yourself not only to Him, but others as well. May your rewards surpass your expectations.
“I remind myself that, as I sit here now,
God is gazing on me with love and holding me in being.
I pause for a moment and think of this.”
-http://www.sacredspace.ie/
God Bless, and remember I’m praying for you!