A Reflection from Revd Tish Bird

February 2026    Ash Wednesday 

Each year on Ash Wednesday, we follow the tradition – established in the 7^th Century, and finalised after the Synod of Benevento in circa 1091 – of a service with imposition of ashes to mark the start of Lent. 

The Reformation rid the ‘burning of the ashes’ element of the Roman Catholic Liturgical Practice, but in the 20^th Century, a specific service for Ash Wednesday became a common and widespread part of the Church of England.  A special service with a Litany of Penitence at its heart, it is a sombre, Holy and beautiful service.  

The ashes are often made from the Blessed burnt palms from the last Palm Sunday when the congregation are given woven palms as a reminder of the initial celebration of welcome, and of the coming crucifixion.  These palms are taken home and returned to church in time to prepare for the following year’s Ash Wednesday service. The dried palms are burned into a fine powder and often mixed with holy water or olive oil (Chrism oil) to form a paste which is used to mark the forehead in the service.  

The imposition of ashes on our foreheads is a humbling reminder of our human mortality and offers the opportunity to turn away from sin and focus afresh on Spiritual, rather than material worth as we enter the Lenten season.  

These are a few Biblical references on the symbolic significance of ashes, including Job 2:8, 42:6; Esther 4:1-3; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:5-6; Lamentations 2:10 and others.

Genesis 3:19

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
until you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Wherever each of us are on Ash Wednesday this year (Wed 18^th February), perhaps we could pause for a few moments to reflect on what Lent means to us, and to come prayerfully before our Lord seeking forgiveness, teaching and Grace as we move through this Holy season; reflecting too, on how the process affects our own faith journey.

Loving God, 

We thank you for your love and provision.  Preparing for the Lenten season we are reminded of our human frailty and mortality – that we are here for just a short time. 

Lord, grant us strength and humility in our reflections; forgiveness as we come before you in penitence and faith; and spiritual renewal that we may serve You in newness of life.  In Christ we pray, Amen.

Revd Tish Bird

See previous Reflections here