Oliva Knect, Freshman
Ash Wednesday is today! This holiday was formed from the Christian religion and is deemed as a holy day! Many people use the forty-days to give up something, the same as Jesus did when he was in the desert. What are you giving up this year? Will it be hard or easy?
Every year on February 17th the first day of Lent starts. This is also known as Ash Wednesday. This Christian holiday is about praying and fasting. After “Fat Tuesday”, people will give something up for forty days. This also takes place in the upcoming weeks before Easter. The reasoning behind giving something up for forty days is to commemorate Jesus, who fasted in the desert for forty days. Jesus was in the desert fasting to help him not to be tempted by Satan before his public ministry. Due to Covid-19, churches and rituals are being slightly tweaked, and people are now being reminded of the death that has happened. Also, due to Covid-19, churches are maintaining a social distance at many services. In other areas, there are drive-bys, where someone affiliated with the church will bless you with the ashes in your car.
Over in the District of Columbia, the first known patient of Covid-19, Rev. Timothy Cole, resumed the services for Ash Wednesday. Even though he was on oxygen for 21-days in the hospital, he feels fine and is ready to continue his work. A saying from the Rev: “When you’re immediately out of the hospital, you are so delighted by ordinary things. After a period, you go back and take it for granted, Ashes are a powerful reminder of the fragility of life.”
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