Shouldn't we avoid marking ourselves with ashes?

[Annatar]

We receive the Ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednestday, Why when Jesus spoke against the use of ashes to denote fasting etc?

Would it not be more correct to have the Priest anoint foreheads in the sign of the Cross with just oil (instead of Oil mixed with ashes)?

Well meaning as some reasons can be, is it not better to submit to what Jesus asked?

 

[Reginald_Plum]

Annatar,

These links should be helpful for understanding the Roman Catholic Church’s use of ashes at the beginning of Lent. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading:
The Day of Ashes by James Akin
Sackcloth and Ashes