By: Rev. Dr. Andrés E. Hernández
In an article written for Holiness Today, Rob L. Staples[1] points out that in the past some evangelical churches rejected the observance of Lent. However, many of those churches, including Churches of the Nazarene, are rediscovering how certain aspects of the Christian tradition help us refocus on the spiritual in a world that is increasingly secular.
The Christian church, building on the Jewish tradition, began to use the seasons of the year to emphasize certain aspects of worship, focusing on the life and ministry of Jesus. Thus, the Christian calendar is organized around two key events in the life of Jesus: his birth and his passion and death. Each of these celebration periods begin with a time of preparation. Advent is the time of preparation for Christmas and Epiphany, while Lent is the time of preparation for Holy Week, Easter Sunday, and Pentecost.
Lent is the season when many Christians from different traditions prepare for the Easter celebration by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday which is observed 46 days before Easter Sunday[2]. There are two main themes emphasized on Ash Wednesday: our sin before God, and our mortality and human frailty.[3]
Ash Wednesday is not mentioned in the Bible, just as many celebrations that the Christian church observes today are not mentioned. However, both the New and Old Testaments mention acts of repentance and mourning accompanied by symbolic ashes and sackcloth. Through these rituals people lament their sin and seek forgiveness (Numbers 19:9; Hebrews 9:13; Jonah 3:6; Matthew 11:21 and Luke 10:13 among others). On Ash Wednesday it is customary to smear ashes in the form of a cross on the forehead of the Christians who observe it, while the following words are pronounced: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”, repeating the words of God to Adam in Genesis 3:19, or “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” recalling the message of both John the Baptist and Jesus
in Mark 1:15.[4] This practice of placing ashes on the forehead dates back to the 10th century. However, as Rev. Dr. Julio R. Vargas Vidal[5] points out, not all churches understand or accept the observance of Ash Wednesday. Still, they can observe that day and substitute the placing of ashes for Communion.
Ash Wednesday is observed by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Churches of the Nazarene among others. Within our church there are some congregations that do observe that day and others that do not. How should we work out this reality? In one of his writings, John Wesley[6] calls on the Arminians and Calvinists of his day, asking them not to use their differences in belief or doctrine as a tool to destroy each other, as this is not compatible with the Christian faith.
The observance of Ash Wednesday should not be a reason to criticize or point fingers at each other. Whether or not you as a Nazarene Christian decide to observe that day, do not condemn whoever decides to do it differently from you. Rather, take advantage of that day to meditate on your human frailty and your need for repentance.
[1] Rob L. Staples: Lent: Preparation for Easter. Holiness Today https://www.holinesstoday.org/lent-preparation-for-easter
[2] What is Ash Wednesday? Why Christians Celebrate it. https://www.christianity.com/church/church-life/wath-is-ash-wenesday-why-do-christians-celebrate-it.html
[3] La pregunta Metodista: ¿Cuándo comenzó y por qué celebramos el Miércoles de Ceniza? https://www.umc.org/es/content/ask-the-umc-when-did-ash-wed-begin-and-why-do-we-celebrate-it
[4] La pregunta Metodista: ¿Cuándo comenzó y por qué celebramos el Miércoles de Ceniza? https://www.umc.org/es/content/ask-the-umc-when-did-ash-wed-begin-and-why-do-we-celebrate-it
[5] Rvdo. Dr. Julio R. Vargas Vidal. Comencemos la Cuaresma y entendamos mejor Miércoles de Ceniza.
[6] John Wesley. The Question “What Is an Arminian?” Answered by a Lover of Free Grace. (1770)
[1] Rob L. Staples: Lent: Preparation for Easter. Holiness Today https://www.holinesstoday.org/lent-preparation-for-easter
[2] What is Ash Wednesday? Why Christians Celebrate it. https://www.christianity.com/church/church-life/wath-is-ash-wenesday-why-do-christians-celebrate-it.html
[3] La pregunta Metodista: ¿Cuándo comenzó y por qué celebramos el Miércoles de Ceniza? https://www.umc.org/es/content/ask-the-umc-when-did-ash-wed-begin-and-why-do-we-celebrate-it
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