Ash Wednesday at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Jackson, Tennessee

Congregants begin season of sacrifice By TRACIE SIMER

tsimer@jacksonsun.com
• February 26, 2009

The bells of St. Luke's Episcopal Church rang at noon, declaring the beginning of the church's first Ash Wednesday service. About 30 people listened to Father Sean Ferrell, rector of St. Luke's, deliver an Ash Wednesday sermon. Then everyone came forward, and Ferrell marked everyone's foreheads with a small ash cross.

The ritual of placing an ash cross on the forehead is where the name Ash Wednesday comes from, Ferrell said.

"While the ashes are placed on each person, I recite, 'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,'" he said.

Gary and Linda Wood attended the noon service at St. Luke's. Gary said one reason they come to the service is because it is a tradition.

"This reminds us that this is a solemn season," he said. "Which will culminate in a great service for Easter."

Linda, who's giving up chocolate for Lent, said the ashes are special. The ashes come from the same palm leaves they used last year during Palm Sunday. Those leaves are burned and saved for next year, she said.

Ferrell said Palm Sunday is the week before Easter, and references Christ's triumphal entry to Jerusalem on a donkey, a few days before his crucifixion. The people, who were happy to see him at the time, greeted him by waving Palm branches.

Gary Wood said both services then are tied together.

"That makes it a continuation from year to year," he said.

Ferrell said Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and remembrance. "It's a season where we give up things and are reminded of our sinfulness and mortality," he said. "It prepares us for Easter. You can't understand the resurrection without it."

The 40 days roughly parallel the 40 days Christ spent in the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan. Christians in the early church used this time to prepare by performing acts of repentance, Farrell said.

For many Christians, this is a time for folks to make a lifestyle change.

"They take on a personal discipline," he said. "They use this as a spring board for giving something up."

Traditionally, Christians fasted during Lent. Catholics give up meat on Fridays, eating only fish or vegetables. Eastern Orthodox Christians give up oil, nuts, eggs and other items, Ferrell said.

"With us, it's up to the individual what they give up," he said. "It can be a good time. For example, when you feel a craving for caffeine, it's a reminder to pray."

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- Tracie Simer, 425-9629

Original article