As the priest marks your forehead with ashes in the sign of the cross on Ash Wednesday, he says, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15, NASB), or, “For you are dust and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). As we receive ashes on our heads, we listen again today to this passage from the Evangelist Mark. Ash Wednesday “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These are the words that we hear as the priest administers ashes on our foreheads. Ash Wednesday Thoughts - Repent and Believe in the Gospel "Repent and believe in the Gospel." These are the words the priest uttered as he placed the ashes on my forehead during mass this morning. “Repent and believe in the Gospel”: Ash Wednesday in Sint-Kwinten Posted 02/03/2020 admin Despite the cold and rainy weather of this past Wednesday evening, our church slowly filled up with those who desired to begin Lent by listening to the Good News, receiving the cross-shaped ash on their foreheads, and celebrating the Eucharist. We all know that the purpose of ashes on our foreheads is to remind us that we came from dust, and to dust we shall return. The first formula consists of Jesus’ words in the first chapter of Mark's gospel. "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" (Mk 1:14). “ Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” “ Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” You will be happy to note that both formulas come from the Bible. Ash Wednesday 101: Repent and Believe in the Gospel.

It reminds us that the salvation offered by Jesus in his paschal mystery requires our response.