Ash Wednesday begins Lenten season of preparation

Area churches mark beginning of Lenten season

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rev. Duane Jesse describes the imposition of ashes as a “visible sign of humility.”

The senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church conducted afternoon and evening services Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The minister said these words from Genesis 3:19, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” as he made the sign of the cross with ashes on people’s foreheads.

Pastor Jesse said the act of coming forward to receive ashes also is a sign of submission and humility. In the Old Testament, he said, “ashes represent death and sorrow for sins.” He continued that “ashes are a stark reminder of human mortality which is a compelling reason to do penance.”

He noted that some churches get the ashes from Christian stores. At Zion, palms from the previous Palm

Sunday are burned. “I add a touch of chrism oil so that the ashes adhere to the skin,” he said.

Pastor Jesse explained that Advent and Lent are both “seasons of preparation.” Advent prepares Christians for the birth of the Messiah, while Lent leads up to the Passion of Christ and his Resurrection.

Lent is 40 days long plus Sundays. Forty is a significant number in the Bible, Pastor Jesse said. “The Israelites spent 40 years in the desert, and Jesus was in the wilderness 40 days,” he said.

Lent is a time of reflection. Pastor Jesse said Zion and other churches have special Lenten programs as a means of preparing members. At Zion, four discipleship classes will be offered at 7 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent.

Though Bible study is a regular part of the church schedule, Pastor Jesse said, more people often participate in the Lenten activity. “They have a different attitude, knowing it is a special time that can help deepen their spiritual lives,” he said.

Lent is a time of reflection of “how short we fall in the example of Jesus. ... It is a time when we reflect how different life would be without the Resurrection,” Pastor Jesse said. The pastor said the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross made it possible for our sins to be forgiven.

Pastor Jesse said Jesus’ example should show us “how to be better disciples.”

He said instead of “giving up” something during Lent such as chocolate or coffee, he urged people to use the Lenten season as a time “to do something positive ... such as random acts of kindness and mercy.” There are plenty of opportunities in the Valley, he said. Performing positive acts throughout the year will enrich spiritual lives, he said.

The reflective season of Lent leads up to Holy Week, which the pastor described as a “roller coaster of emotions.” Palm Sunday, he noted, brings a triumphant and hopeful feeling of Jesus entering Jerusalem. But then things change, as Jesus is not the earthly king to free the Israelites from bondage but a spiritual one. Jesus is agitated at people’s expectations, the pastor said.

“The high feeling of Palm Sunday is crushed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday,” Pastor Jesse said, adding Holy Saturday brings questions and emptiness. Then the Resurrection at Easter fulfills the promise of Jesus and eternal spiritual life.