Ash On Our Forehead – Why?

On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance, humility, and mortality. This tradition marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance leading up to Easter. It is a reminder of our mortality – The priest or minister applies the ashes while saying, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19), reminding us of our earthly nature and the need to focus on eternal life.

n the Bible, ashes were used as a sign of sorrow and repentance. For example, in Jonah 3:6, the people of Nineveh covered themselves in sackcloth and ashes as a sign of their repentance before God.

The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. – Jonah 3:6

It is a call to conversion. The ashes also symbolize a commitment to turning away from sin and living according to the Gospel. Another phrase used during the imposition of ashes is, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15). It also reminds us of Jesus’ suffering and death, encouraging them to take up their own crosses and follow Him.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are typically made by burning the palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolizing the cycle of repentance and renewal in the Christian life.