A Spiritual Perspective on Ash Wednesday and Lent

There are two ways to get to the top of an oak tree. You can climb it, or you can sit on an acorn! Both are perfectly viable, but one is definitely faster. The other takes the patience of Job! Likewise, there are two ways to move through the Lenten season: Fasting or Feasting! Both are legitimate expressions of spiritual growth, and from a spiritual perspective, we recommend doing both. We just put a little different twist on it.

Let’s start by clarifying exactly what Ash Wednesday is.

Ash Wednesday signifies the first day of Lent, and it occurs on a different date each year, depending on when Easter falls — which is also different each year. Just wait – it gets more confusing! The date of Easter is determined by the date of the Pascal Full Moon. This full moon does not correspond to any astronomical event, but is a historical artifact determined from tables. Once the date of Easter is set, Ash Wednesday falls forty-six days (forty days not counting Sundays) before Easter.

Why is it called Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned, and mixed with the Oil of the Catechumens (one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized. This paste is used by the priest who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his own forehead and then on each of those present who kneel before him at the altar rail. As he does so, he recites the words: “Remember (O man) that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19).  Ashes are viewed throughout Christian history as a symbol of humility and sacrifice for those who wear them.

This is the traditional view, which focuses on sinfulness, sorrow, unworthiness, and repentance.

The Spiritual Perspective

From a spiritual perspective, it is all a little different! Ash Wednesday represents our resolve to deny the power of outer appearance which creates the belief in separation from our True Nature. Throughout the Lenten season, we choose to “FAST” from self-defeating thoughts, choices, attitudes, and beliefs, and FEAST on our affirmation of our oneness with God.

We prefer to substitute sacred oil in place of ashes. By placing a sign of the heart on our forehead with oil, we acknowledge our commitment to cross out error and become one with the Truth of us. We also believe we are living the scriptural teaching of Jesus, when He advised His followers (in Matthew 6:16-18):

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The Metaphysical Interpretation

When our intention is to fast from error thoughts, we will lose face if our abstention is only a façade.  The point is not about whining and demonstrating how difficult it is for you to perform your fast. Rather, a true fast means consecrating the whole body, mind, and soul from a consciousness of love so that our inner cleansing aligns our total beingness with the pattern of perfection that is within us.

From a spiritual perspective, Lent goes beyond Easter. Lent is a spiritual retreat forward, a time of preparation, cleansing, and completion as we fast from error thoughts and feast on our relationship with the Christ within. True Lent is a lifetime of fasting from anything and everything that we allow to separate us from our Christ Nature. So fast from fear and doubt. Fast from worry and thinking you don’t measure up.

You are put here to enjoy life. Use this Lenten season to discover the Kingdom, the power, the rightness within you. You can do it because it’s in your spiritual DNA.

About the Authors: Combine a flair for the dramatic, a deep understanding of metaphysics combined with the teachings of Jesus, and a zest for ministry, and you have defined Revs. Bil & Cher Holton, the dynamic duo who serve as co-ministers for Unity Spiritual Life Center, Durham, NC. This exciting couple bring their love for Truth Principles to everything they do, and work together to create a center that lives its vision and mission in everything it does.They are prolific authors, and share their metaphysical and spiritual principles through their website: http://www.TheMetaphysicalWebsite.com

Check out our special Ash Wednesday Fasting/Feasting Meditation.

About the Authors: Combine a flair for the dramatic, a deep understanding of metaphysics combined with the teachings of Jesus, and a zest for ministry, and you have defined Revs. Bil & Cher Holton, the dynamic duo who serve as co-ministers for Unity Spiritual Life Center, Durham, NC. They are prolific authors, and share their metaphysical and spiritual principles through their website: http://www.TheMetaphysicalWebsite.com

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