Scriptural Defense of Ash Wednesday practices

[Qhua]

The Use of Ashes on Ash Wednesday Proved from Scripture

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Thank you Randy for all of the scriptural references to the use of Ash.

I understand that there was a ritual use for ashes as you described in your passages, but do any of those passages justify a “Rule-Based Calendar Date” such as what we have for Ash Wednesday? Why not Ash Sunday or Ash Monday or Ash Tuesday or Ash Thursday or Ash Saturday?

Sunday? - In Exodus 23:12 - we’re suppose to rest on the seventh day. That’s fair. It’s in scripture.

Where in the bible does it say something like, “FOR ONE DAY OUT OF THE YEAR and that day must occur 46 six days before Easter not counting Sundays, you must put ashes on your face and wear sack cloths?”

If it does say that, than yes, it’s scriptural. If not, then it’s a plain old Catholic holiday… but let’s call it out like it is…

The premise behind Ash Wednesday is a good thing. But I challenge you to have Ash Wednesday, every day! Not just once a year.

The life of a Christian is not easy.

 

[NotWorthy]

Where in the bible does it say something like, “FOR ONE DAY OUT OF THE YEAR and that day must occur 46 six days before Easter not counting Sundays, you must put ashes on your face and wear sack cloths?”

If it does say that, than yes, it’s scriptural. If not, then it’s a plain old Catholic holiday… but let’s call it out like it is…

I don’t understand the question. It is a Catholic holy-day, and its not specifically in the Scripture. But that doesn’t make it a tradition of man, if that’s what you’re worried about. That whole “Binding and Loosing” thing has that covered.

The premise behind Ash Wednesday is a good thing. But I challenge you to have Ash Wednesday, every day! Not just once a year.

The life of a Christian is not easy.

Absolutely!!! We should mourn our sins, each and every day!!! But, its good to have a “kick-start” for those who need one, eh?

 

[Qhua]

It is a Catholic holy-day, and its not specifically in the Scripture. But that doesn’t make it a tradition of man, if that’s what you’re worried about. That whole “Binding and Loosing” thing has that covered.

Ha ha You rock, NotWorthy! This is the best answer I’ve heard.

 

[Jerry_Marino]

Quick funny story. I used to have a um… Potty-mouth, and not every one I work with (my customers) realize that I’ve cleaned up many things in my life.

Anyway, we have a mass at 12:10PM each week-day that I’m often able to attend on my lunch break. One Ash Wednesday, I went to Mass and then went to a customer’s site to help out with a problem. We were sitting there in a control-room, with hard hats on, when the customer noticed, but did not recognize, my cross and assumed someone stuck something in my hardhat (dirt or something, I guess) that would mess with my face.

He laughed and said, “Man, someone really F—ed up your forehead!”. I simply replied, “Wow! I hope it didn’t mess up my ashes!!!” in the same tone.

He paused, it sunk in that I’d just gone to Mass, and then sat backed and moaned, “Oh man, I’m going to hell, I’m going to hell…”. For the next 30 minutes, he’d look at me and realized how offensive his words had been. It cracked me up!

hilarious lol, what did you tell him? is he going to hell?

 

[NotWorthy]

hilarious lol, what did you tell him? is he going to hell?

I just gave him that knowing smile. It was the best thing I could do to him, not retaliate or chastise him, because then he would think, “Well, John got me back, so my conscience can be cleared”.

 

[Allymom]

Again, just a reminder, it isn’t just a Catholic Holy day. Other denominations must have a back ground for doing it also, even if it is not scriptural. I don’t know what it matters, it is still a good reminder.
God bless!