Ash Wednesday, the First Day of Lent
Posted on February 18, 2026 by under
Scripture: St. Matthew 6:16-21 (NKJV)
6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Devotion
Jesus’ words are so clear that only a misguided view of history and an annual competition in mental gymnastics has allowed the Roman practice of Ash Wednesday to re-infiltrate Lutheran churches. Where did it come from?
While adult catechumens were finishing their preparation for Baptism during Lent, those who had been removed from the fellowship of the Lord’s Table would receive the ‘imposition of ashes’ to begin a season of making their repentance apparent. ‘Imposition’ wasn’t just a name for the rite, then, but the reality of being required to display public penitence so that neither the Church nor the public would be scandalized by the thought of their presence at the Lord’s Table.
Certainly, of ourselves we all are unworthy to receive God’s gift. However, the Roman Church and modern practice of putting ashes on all cheapens both the meaning of the original rite and the right understanding of fellowship at the altar, and the very difference between being in and out of the faith.
Pietism didn’t steal this practice from Lutherans; Lutheran orthodoxy let it die. Its very essence is pietistic: substituting feelings and man-made gimmickry for the clear and objective words of Jesus. A Lutheran Lent focuses on the realities of the Gospel: that we have been washed clean in Holy Baptism, have Holy Absolution renewing us in that cleansing, and have our fasting kept from becoming starvation through our nourishment by Christ’s Body and Blood.
Collect: Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Festival of Martin Luther, Confessor and Doctor
O God, Who didst give Martin Luther as a faithful teacher of the saving truth in a time of great trial, grant to Thy people zeal for Thy Word and faithful teachers for Thy Church, that they may stand steadfast against all error; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
