Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is a time of self-examination, repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. Ancient people wore ashes as a sign of mourning and repentance. Today, we receive ashes as a reminder to us of our humanity and mortality.

The ashes help us to remember that we are not God and that our bodies do not last forever. They are also a sign of repentance and sorrow, helping us confront our sin and need for forgiveness. We can’t overcome death or sin on our own, but there’s good news: Lent ends with Easter, the day that our mortality and sin were conquered by Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God!