Thaindian News

Los Angeles, Feb 21 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Christians around the world will start the solemn tradition of Lent tomorrow (Wednesday the 22nd of February 2012). The event is used to reflect on the sacrifice that JESUS CHRIST made to the whole world on Calvary.

Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Episcopalians and other Protestants will take the 40-day journey by sacrificing most of the pleasures of the world. Christians are encouraged on that day to fast and pray to the LORD as well as doing acts of charity. Staying pure from the pleasures of the world is also encouraged during the period.

Illinois Patch explains that, “The solemn proceedings that occur on Ash Wednesday bring the focus back to the sacrifice of CHRIST and the mission of the Church, according to faithclipart.com. The observance most likely comes from the biblical Day of Atonement. In Leviticus 16, the Lord establishes an annual day of repentance for the Israelites as a lasting ordinance for all their generations.”

The end of the Lent will mark the beginning of CHRIST’s way to the Cross where he died for the sins of mankind. On the Ash Wednesday, Christians taking part in the festivities will go to their priests and pastors to have the sign of the Cross marked on their forehead with the ash.

The significant of the use of the ash can be found in the text in Genesis when GOD told man that, “Remember man that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return.”