Ep 123 (S7E8) Ashes and the Day of the Lord

References:40 Days of LentA season of introspection, devotion and journeying to the cross and the empty tombConsider Biblical 40 day/night periodsNoah and the flood - Gen 7 (purifying)Moses on Mt Sinai - Ex 24 (law-giving)Elijah’s journey to Mt Sinai - 1 Kings 19 (preparing)Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness - Mt 4; Lk 4 (fighting for us)Sackcloth, dust and AshesA sign of mourning - Esther 4:1A sign of repentance - Job 42:6; Jonah 3:6Nathan in The ChosenSpiritual disciplines: Prayer, Fasting and Alms-givingMat 6:1-6, 16-21In secret - κρυπτός from κρύπτω (kryptō)Reward - ἀποδίδωμι (ap-od-eed'-o-mee)Joel and the Day of the LordOne’s heart vs one’s outward appearanceOne of the most famous lines in the passage is: “Rend your hearts and not your garments.” This is crucial for Ash Wednesday because it prevents the ritual of receiving ashes from becoming a mere outward show. It sets a mandatory annual reminder that the 40-day journey ahead is an internal transformation that God works as we humbly align with Him.A total communal responseThe great refrain: "For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love..."