Ash Wednesday

Waiting for the Imposition of Ashes at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Layer Breton tonight, a service marking the beginning of the forty days of Lent which lead up to Easter. For me this is a season of quiet meditation, reflection, healing, and ultimately hope.

The ashes used are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations and mixing them with holy oil. Since ancient times ashes have signified death, grief and penance. There are many references to the wearing of ash (and sackcloth) in the Bible. At the Ash Wednesday service they are imposed in the form of a cross on the forehead of each person, with these words -

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ”.

PS: I heard my first blackbird song of the year this afternoon - it sounded a bit weak and wobbly but there he was, perched in the tree above, limbering up for the spring. Always a sign of hope and joy, and a reminder of happy childhood days.