The Power of Self-Imposition: Saying No to Temptations

As we embark on the journey of Lent, we are called to say no to any habit that comes between God and ourselves. This is a time for self-reflection, self-imposition, and surrender to God's will. During this season, we are reminded of our mortality and sin, and encouraged to fast from those attitudes and actions that drive a wedge between us and God.

The ashes in the shape of a cross that we receive on Ash Wednesday serve as a powerful symbol of our human limits and the need for humility. The Latin word for earth is humus, which also means humility, reminding us that our strength comes not from ourselves, but from God.

As we mark the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes, we are reminded that we are dust and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19). This somber reminder sets us on a path of self-examination and repentance, preparing us for the renewal given by God's Spirit in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The practice of using ashes as a sign of penitence dates back to the Hebrew people (Jonah 3:6; Matthew 11:21), and has been a part of Christian tradition since the 2nd century. On Ash Wednesday, millions of Christians around the world engage in the ancient ritual known as 'the imposition of ashes,' marking the beginning of Lent, a forty-day period of preparation for Easter.

As we embark on this journey, let us not be fooled into thinking that Lent is just about giving up something or doing something difficult. Rather, it is an opportunity to say no to those things that come between God and ourselves, and say yes to the long days and nights of healing, teaching, feeding, and exorcising that Jesus modeled for us.

In this season of self-imposition, let us remember that our innocent friend Jesus was abused and tortured and executed. Let us not forget that we are all creatures of the earth, and that our mortality is a reminder of our need for God.

As we mark ourselves with ashes, let us be reminded of the power of self-imposition and the importance of saying no to those things that drive a wedge between us and God. May this season of Lent be a time of transformation and renewal for us all.

Self imposition of ashes