CBSI MALAYSIA

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is a solemn time for Christians for 40 days before Easter.

Most commonly observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians and Lutherans, but of late many non-liturgical churches are observing this season in the Christian calendar. Ash Wednesday falls on the seventh Wednesday before Easter. During Lent Christians are encouraged to fast, pray, give alms and seek repentance for their sins. Some Christians abstain from a normal part of their daily routine during Lent to remind them of the sacrifice of Christ. Some might refrain from eating certain favorite foods or from fun activities.

The solemn proceedings that occur on Ash Wednesday are intended to bring the focus back to the sacrifice of Christ and the mission of the Church. The observance most likely comes from the Biblical Day of Atonement mentioned in Leviticus 16, in which the Lord established an annual day of repentance for the Israelites as a lasting ordinance for all their generations.

On this day, Christians were to come before a priest or minister to receive the sign of the cross, marked in ashes on their foreheads, as a way to remember: Ashes to ashes and the words: “Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shall return.”

So we pray, as Christians we will have a desire to deepen our relationship with the Lord, and may the Holy Spirit guide us as we meditate on his Word this Lent.

Welcome to Lent!