When we follow the Church Calendar, not only do we have the opportunity to practice longstanding traditions of the Church, which connect us to past followers of Jesus; we also have occasions where we get to take part in rituals that go back even further to our ancient ancestors of faith. Ash Wednesday is one of those occasions.
Ashes have been a sign of deep repentance since well before Jesus’ time. On Ash Wednesday, Christ followers of many denominations wear ashes (traditionally from the palm branches of last year’s Palm Sunday) as a reminder of our humble humanity—that we are dust and to dust we shall return—and to ask God to have mercy on us and forgive us our sins.
Ash Wednesday kickstarts the 40-day season of Lent, which is all about deep repentance and challenging one’s devotion to Christ. To achieve our end goals, we cannot just passively sit through this season. We must take part in spiritual disciplines that are unusual for us—the archaic and the avant-garde. By changing up our routines we can be drawn closer to the Divine, and also better understand our common humanity and the unique purpose we each have here and now.
There are many spiritual practices for us to explore and experiment with during Lent. Perhaps consider studying scriptures in a new way, maybe by reading a new translation or listening to an audio recording instead. Perhaps fast from select food, alcohol, digital devices, or media. Sit in meditative silence or go for a quiet walk without headphones. Use candles or incense while meditating. Try out new patterns or stances for prayer, such as lying flat on the ground or standing with your arms open.
Not every spiritual exercise needs to be solitary during this period. You may want to start a short-term reading group where you simply read through a specific gospel narrative and discuss it. Or, you could go to a church of a different denomination you’ve never attended. Or, take part in an activist organization you have not been involved with before. Do something different with different people. Go to an arts event, concert, or museum that challenges your brain to think differently. Discuss hard topics with confidants.
What’s interesting about all of these options is that things often new to us are commonplace for someone else. We learn from the faith practices of others. And as we partake in new-to-us rituals, we also bring ourselves into someone else’s faith experience. It is a cross-pollination that is rich with spiritual blessings for all involved. It is indeed the Beloved Community, the Eternal Kingdom that Jesus Christ envisioned being practiced.
So this Lent, do something outside of your usual proverbial box. Not every experience will bring about a new revelation of the Divine, yet you might be surprised what does.
Relevant Reformation 