Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time for reflection on our sin so that we are led to contrition, and then, to the cross. The use of ashes reminds us of death and mourning.

With the first sin from Adam and Eve, death was brought into this world. We mourn the damage that sin does. We mourn that we have participated in the sin that destroyed our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

We begin this journey of Lent as we approach our confession of sin, and through this, we know the only solution is the cross of Christ.