"We are dust and to dust we shall return"
Ashes that are placed on the forehead of Catholics (and other denominations that recognize Lent) remind us that we will one day die and that we must repent our sins.
When we receive ashes in the Church, the words we hear either remind us that we will turn to dust or urge us to turn away from sin.
So when Catholics publicly wear ashes on their foreheads, they have no intention to draw anyone's attention to our fasting or sacrifices. Rather Catholics are reminding themselves of the crucial importance to turn away from sin and also of the fact that this life doesn't last forever.
We cannot live as though we will never die.
Ashes and Their Meaning
The Church has using ashes for hundreds of years as an outward sign to others of our grief, humility, mourning, penance, and morality.
Ashes were imposed on early Christians as they prepared for their baptism.
So when Catholics celebrate the Mass on Ash Wednesday and receivee the blessed ashes on our foreheads, we repeating a serious, pious act that Catholics have been practicing for over 1,500 years.
The act of ashes placed on foreheads is in the Bible many places. Here is one statement in the Old Testament:
"That day they fasted and wore sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their garments" (1 Mc 3:47).
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