Ash Wednesday

14 February 2024

Bible readings for today

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Liturgical colour: VIOLET

Collect

Almighty and merciful God,
you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;
create in us new and contrite hearts, so that when we turn to you and confess our sins we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

E te Atua kaha rawa, atawhai anō hoki,
kāhore koe e mauāhara ki ngā mea kua hangā e koe, ā,
e murua ana e koe ngā hara katoa o te hunga ngākau rīpenetā;
hangā ki roto i a mātou he ngākau hōu, he ngākau iro,
kia tahuri ai mātou ki a koe ki te whāki i ō mātou hara,
ka whiwhi mātou ki te tino houhanga o te rongo;
ko Īhu Karaiti tō mātou Kaihoko. Āmine.

What is Ash Wednesday?

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
~Book of Common Prayer p. 265.

In the Christian Church, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. During Lent, Christians may fast or give up some of their usual routine to give time to personal examination and to reflect on their relationship with God. We acknowledge that we have not loved God with our whole hearts, and we prepare our hearts as remember how we belong to God, and to God we will return.

Resources

Clay figure activity (Building Faith)
Ashes to Go is our Family Tradition (Building Faith)
Creative ideas for Ash Wednesday (Building Faith)
Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Flame Creative Ministry)
Three teaching points for Ash Wednesday (Building Faith)
Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Building Faith)
Ash Wednesday: explore this church tradition together as you consider how and why we say sorry. (SUNZ)

Why a cross of ashes?

The Palm crosses from the previous year are burnt and mixed with anointing oil, and used to mark a cross on a foreheads of believers.

"We receive the cross of ashes in the same place as the cross of oil we receive at baptism, for the same reason: to remind us that we were created in love, we belong to God, and we will return to God." - Building Faith. The shape of the cross reminds us that through Jesus we are forgiven and free.