By Corine Gatti

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lent season and starts on Feb. 13, 2013. It is a time of repentance and fasting for 40 days in preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These ashes represent “Penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice,” as reported by Catholic Online. Ashes are created from the palms used in last year’s Palm Sunday season and followers will receive the sign of the cross marked on their foreheads by their pastor. Here are five scriptures to ponder before Ash Wednesday, which was originally called dies cinerum or day of ashes, in honor of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.