Ash Wednesday often called the Day of Ashes commences the forty days Lenten season which focuses the heart of Christians on repentance and prayer, usually through personal penitence and communal confession.

Observed in the seventh week before Easter, the event is marked with Holy Mass and church services. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of ashes on the foreheads of worshippers to further highlight the words of “repent and believe in the gospel” or the dictum: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return”.

Ashes are prepared by burning the palm leaves from previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. On Palm Sunday, churches bless and handout palm fronds to attendees, a reference to the Gospels’ account of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when onlookers lay palm branches on His path.

Ashes were used in ancient times to express grief, sorrow for sins and faults. The practice of using ashes is also an external sign of repentance, fasting, reflection and ultimately celebration.

During mass or worship service, the officiating minister  usually share a sermon that is penitential and reflective in nature. The mood is solemn and is characterized by a responsive passage of scripture.

After all the ceremonies, the congregation will be invited to receive the ashes on their foreheads which symbolizes death and repentance.  So, as we observe the Ash Wednesday with sober reflection and soul searching, we should also bear in mind the mood of the nation. Nigeria is faced with many challenges including high cost of living as a result of the free fall of naira in the foreign exchange market and increase in the price of petrol, hike in telecommunication tariff  and increase in  ATM and POS charges .

Christians should use the period for self reappraisal and  promote love for one another.

Ash Wednesday provides the faithful the opportunity to  fast and pray for the youths, who are gradually going back to idolatry for them to repent and embrace the light of Jesus Christ.

The Ash Wednesday should also afford the faithful a golden opportunity to pray for the success of the Nigerian leaders, as well as for peace, unity, progress and development of Nigeria.

Ndi Anambra should pray for Professor Chukwuma Soludo in his efforts to uplift the State to a liveable and prosperous homeland.  They should also pray and fast for successful Anambra State Governorship election slated for November eight this year.

May God, continue to hear our prayers.

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