Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Today is Ash Wednesday, which is so named because in many places Christians have adopted the custom of putting ashes on one’s forehead as a reminder that we are ashes to ashes, dust to dust (Gen 3:19).
Nevertheless, some congregations do not put ashes on the forehead on Ash Wednesday because this practice falls into certain problems, as do other customs for Lent, and that is what we need to look at today.
People will ask: What are you giving up for Lent? Then, of course, there are all kinds of things that people give up. Some give up caffeine for Lent. Others give up sugar. Still others give up social media! Others say: I can’t do that. It’s too much! But the idea has been that now that it is Lent, we’re going to do something extra. We are going to mortify the flesh.