Ash Wednesday

Harry Potter

Do you remember that scene in the Harry Potter movie Chamber of Secrets where Harry was wounded by the basilisk (giant snake)? He would have died from its poison. What saved him? The tears of the Phoenix

There is also a scene in one of the Harry Potter movies where something interesting happened to the Phoenix in the office of Albus Dumbledore. What happened? The Phoenix burned up. And from its ashes a hatchling appeared.

Phoenix

The Phoenix is a mythological bird that has a long life-span. Some myths put it at 500, 1,461 or 12,594 years. It is a male bird with beautiful gold and red plumage.

At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises.

The new phoenix embalms the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in Heliopolis, located in Egypt.

The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible.

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday we will be receiving the ashes. The Phoenix can be a reminder about what Lent is all about.

What happens at the end of the life-cycle of the Phoenix? It burns up and is reduced to ashes. From the ashes arises a new Phoenix

So also from the ashes that we shall receive on Ash Wednesday, there should arise a new self. What is this new self? This new self is one who has turned away from his sins and lives in the grace of God.

Conclusion

Therefore, if you are going to receive the ashes on Ash Wednesday it means you are ready to turn away from your sins and live in the grace of God.

Turn away from your sins in the sacrament of confession. Live in the grace of God by avoiding those occasions where you might be tempted to commit sin.