For the most faithful Christian, the time to celebrate is over at midnight this Fat Tuesday. Lent is at hand, and Christendom goes into its annual season of somberness and introspection, much in the same way that Jews start their new year with their Ten Days of Penitence between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Or Muslims during their month of Ramadan, Self-denial and fasting are traditionally part of all three traditions.Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten season, and many churches hold services where pastors and commissioned lay people smudge foreheads in the sign of the cross, using black ash traditionally from the burned palm fronds of the previous Palm Sunday. Its a practice that goes back to the 12th century.During the ritual, pastors and other leaders with the authority state, Thou art dust and undo dust thou shall return. Grim words of mortality. Or they may say, Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. In homilies, pastors remind them that the cross of ashes is a sign of their salvation if they receive and embrace him, so they need not feel the hopelessness of inhabiting a body with finite years. Catholics and Episcopalians are traditionally the most observant with Ash Wednesday. It typically is a practice of many non-liturgical faiths, including many evangelical Christian groups. Yet is common among mainline Protestant faiths.Catholic parishes traditionally hold several Masses during Ash Wednesday for the rite and often step up their daily Mass schedule during the sacred 40 days of Lent that lead up to Easter and includes Holy Week, a time for special prayer and the re-enactment of the last week of Christs life, from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, through his betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter is April 8.Fat Tuesday pancake suppers in churches and the Mardi Gras in New Orleans are the last hurrah before Lent. Several years ago, movie director Mel Gibson used Lent to turn loose his film, The Passion of the Christ, which almost seem to overwhelm the season. This year, Amazing Grace, in a different way comes forth to deepen ones faith during this season. Some congregations have used the mega-bestseller A Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren to stir a new birth of faith in people. My own church sent me an e-mail Tuesday urging me and others to be on hand for Wednesday night Ash Wednesday services. And it carried the question: Why come to Ash Wednesday services. Six reasons were given: — To participate in one of the oldest Christian traditions– To join with thousands of other Christians around the world.– To confess your need for life transformation.– To make a commitment to begin a season of study and reflection.– To consider what you can do to change your life for the good.– To express your desire to be more like Jesus.I have another reason to there. I am in the choir and we are assigned to sing.

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