Ashes – Day 3 of 40

Armodoxy for Today: Ashes – Day 3

The Ash Wednesday custom is the beginning of Lenten Season in the West, two days after its start in the Armenian Church. The ash cross that is smeared on a person’s forehead is an outward sign and reminder that the Lenten season is a period of contemplation, a time to reflect on life. As the ashes are administered, the officiant clergy says, “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes,” as a reminder of our mortality. In the Armenian Church Tradition, at the burial service the priest blesses the earth with similar words pointing to the creation story in Genesis (3:19), “for you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

So today, the Christian world of the West joins us in the season of Lent. And whether it was the ashes, or the practice of one act of charity, one expression of the fast and one prayer, as we prescribed, the tone has been set for Lent.

Today’s act of charity is the simplest you will do this entire season. It’s a monetary donation. Make a donation to charity – a check or an offering in a collection plate, moving your treasure, grounds your heart for Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there shall your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Try Spicy Peanut Noodles for your meal today and realize that there is goodness in less.

Welcoming our brothers and sisters from the Western traditions, we offer this prayer on today, “Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 3: Spicy Peanut Noodles