Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
 ‘Hear, and I will speak;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eye sees you;
    therefore, I despise myself,
    and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 41:1-6

Even though there may not be any truth to the fact that the nursery rhyme, “Ring Around the Rosie,” first came into existence during the Great Plague of England in 1665, there seems to be a connection between the two. During that horrific epidemic, bodies were cremated to prevent the spread of the Bubonic plague which was highly contagious. In my opinion, it could also be the call to repentance which is the focus of the Christian celebration of Ash Wednesday. The practice of using ashes as a sign on the forehead of believers became a common practice in the church. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It is a time when we confess our sins to God, repent of them and have the confidence that we are forgiven through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, Christ. Looking back at the Old Testament, we often find examples of the use of ashes as an outward action to declare sorrow over sin.

It is a good thing to dedicate a certain time of the year to ask God’s forgiveness, but it should really be a daily activity. We are guilty of original sin and will continue to sin until we die. We need to be reminded of the cost of our salvation – the power of God – our dedication to changing the way we live because of it – especially our gratitude for Gods amazing grace. Placing ashes on the forehead is an outward indicator that the wearer of those ashes has been forgiven. God has already paid the price. Our sins have been forgiven, by no doing of our own.

Lent is a time for us to meditate on what Christ has done for all humanity. We can vow to give things up for a certain time. We may feel this is a way of thanking Him and showing honor. We cannot obtain salvation through our own deeds, but we can in gratitude come to God with repentant hearts, confess the sins that continue to haunt us and change the way we live.

ASHES, ASHES, WE ALL FALL DOWN.