For many centuries the men and women in Europe looked out upon the western sea, what we call the Atlantic Ocean, and they saw the sun coruscating upon the glittering surface of the waters and they wondered. They wondered if there was anything beyond. Scholars said that you could sail off the edge of the world--there was nothing out there at all. In fact, inscribed on the escutcheons of the coat of arms of the nation of Spain was its national motto, Ne Plus Ultra, meaning, "There is nothing beyond."

One day Columbus went westering on the shiny waters. He sailed off into the sunset as people waited expectantly, and finally after a long time the sails reappeared and the crowds were exultant. They shouted with joy, and Columbus announced that there was a land beyond the sea that was rich beyond their dreams. It was a glorious paradise. The king of Spain changed the motto of that land until it reads as it does today, Plus Ultra, meaning, "There is more beyond."

For many centuries innumerable people stood beside the dark hole that we call a grave and watched the remains of their loved ones lowered into the earth, and they wondered: Beyond the dark waters of death, is there anything beyond?

Then one day, a young explorer went westering into the setting sun and descended into the blackness of the pit. He sailed off the edge of the world and crashed into hell. People waited expectantly. Finally on this Resurrection morning, as the sun arose in the east, the Son of God stepped forth from a grave and declared, "There is something beyond. There is a paradise beyond your greatest expectations. And there awaits a heavenly Father, waiting with outstretched arms to wipe away every tear from your cheek."

– D. James Kennedy, "Message from an Empty Tomb," Preaching Today, Tape No. 66

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It was first established as a celebration in the seventh century. The name derives from the custom of burning the palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. Using palms from Palm Sunday is a reminder that one must not only rejoice in the triumph of Jesus over death, but also regret the fact that our sins made it necessary for Him to die. The ashes are dabbed on the foreheads of believers in the sign of the cross, by the minister or priest.

In the Roman Catholic Church the branches are burned before mass, with a prayer of blessing. The ashes are sprinkled on the altar three times, then the priests apply them to their own foreheads before marking the communicators. The ashes are to represent the sorrow of believers as they meditate on the sacrifice of Christ. Ash Wednesday is also to be a day of fasting.

Ashes and fasting are biblical symbols of mourning and penance. In Bible times the custom was to fast, wear sackcloth, sit in dust and ashes, and put dust and ashes on one's head. Below are just a couple of many examples where the Bible refers to the use of ashes in mourning. "Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went." (2 Samuel 13:19) "When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head." (2 Samuel 15:32).

Sources: The Dictionary of Bible and Religion, William Gentz | The Bible Almanac, White

Easter Quotations

He who burst the bars of death was thereby declared to be the Son of God with power. Since the resurrection morning there has never been -- there could not be -- the slightest question as to His final rulership of the world. Death was conquered, Satan was conquered, and He proclaimed the wearer of the name above every name. His final triumph was hence merely a question of the fullness of time. An He is now seated at the righthand of the Father, from henceforth expecting till His enemies are made his footstool. This Easter morning certifies us of that approaching day, and with, as it were, the forgleams of its glory on our faces and the stirrings of its mighty joy in our hearts, bids us watch and pray and look for the coming of the King.

E. P. Goodwin

Our Christ has brought us over, with hymns of victory.

St. John of Damascus; The Day of Ressurection