Still Getting Ready for Ash Wednesday

by Christine Sine

The ashes we use to anoint our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are traditionally made by burning the crosses and palms used in last year’s Palm Sunday procession. The burning of my own year old Palm Sunday fronds is a practice that I have enjoyed over the last few years as a preparation for the season of Lent. Sometimes I write a list of the change I hope for on pieces of paper and add those to the fire. It is a powerful practice that fills me with expectation for the journey ahead.