Of all the days in the church year, Ash Wednesday, along with Good Friday, are the most somber, for those that take the time to worship or observe these days in some way. Ash Wednesday humbles us, a day to remember we live far from perfect lives and at the end of life our bodies return to the dust. "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," are the words spoken as a smudge of ashes in the shape of the cross is placed on our foreheads. The Pharisee in the parable thought he was a pretty good guy. He did all the right things to impress God. The tax collector, on the other hand, realized he was not so good. His only hope was that God would have mercy on him and forgive him.
Today we come before God as humble, repentant sinners, like the tax collector. I know I can't justify myself before God. I do some nice and helpful things, but far from enough. I need a Savior who will forgive me and make me right with God. Ash Wednesday, and indeed, the Lenten season as a whole, serves as a reminder to me of my need for God's love and grace.
It's so simple to know about the importance of humility...but not so easy to make humility a habit. This is a valuable lesson for us to review over and over! I like the way The Living Bible ends the parable:"For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored."
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