Daily Thoughts: Ash Wednesday 2015 – There is
always a bit of tension went it comes to the scriptures at mass on Ash
Wednesday, especially the Gospel. Jesus' words all point to a quiet,
non-public, personal and hidden commitment to fasting, alms giving and prayer.
Yet, right after the Gospel we parade up and get a large cross of ashes that we
can wear throughout the day for everyone to see. It doesn't seem right but that
is what we do!
I got a little clarity to my struggle
with the readings today one Ash
Wednesday when a Passionist who was celebrating this morning community
mass articulated my struggle but then said perhaps it is important for us as a
faith community to do this as we begin Lent. Ashes are a sign of unity, a sign
of belonging and often for us that is important. I had never considered it that
way. The ashes we Christians receive today connect us, they bring us together
for a common purpose. Now we will each live out that common purpose
differently, some more involved than others but we are together, we are
connected!
Now I still struggle with the fact that
churches are full to overflowing today because people want the ashes and we
will take them anyway we can get them, often wishing to avoid the mass or
service, just give us the ashes. However, each and every Sunday when we have
the opportunity to receive the Body and Blood of Christ often we are nowhere to
be found and there is plenty of room in the church. I do not think I will ever
understand how ashes became more important than Eucharist! Perhaps it is
wearing the badge, the outward sign of ashes for all to see that makes us feel
closer to God. I don't know!
On to more positive
thoughts..."Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold now is the day
of salvation. [So] a clean heart create for me O God, and a steadfast spirit
renew within me," words from St. Paul and Psalm 51 that help us to begin
this journey of Lent.
St. Paul was one for always putting
things in the moment not caught in the past or look too far ahead, St. Paul in
the here and now. Now was always the time, today this moment is what we should
be concerned about. Somehow, some way God will be present to us today, God's
Spirit will be alive for us today and we dare not miss it! The journey begins
today and every day. The end of the journey is today and every day. The time is
now!
I have always found the Psalms to be a
wonderful book of prayer and if I could make a suggestion for your journey of
Lent go to the Psalms and use them as part of your prayer. In fact I would
suggest using Psalms 51 and 139. Alternate them during Lent spending some time
with each. In Psalm 51 we seek forgiveness, joy, hope and God's love. In Psalm
139 we are reminded of God great love for us and the intimacy a relationship
with God can bring.
During Lent, we can live each day in the
hope that now is the time and go to prayer in our inner room knowing that we
are not perfect, that we struggle but that God is right there with us!
Blessing on this Ash Wednesday to all!
Ash Wednesday Prayer: O God, with
ashes on our forehead we begin Lent knowing that the rest of the journey will
not be pubic like today but perhaps more personal, more one on one with you. We
will give up things or perhaps do things to hopefully focus our lives on what
is most important. We will pray to draw strength for the journey. We will give
of ourselves as your ambassadors so that it is not just about "me"
but about "us" about You! And so as we journey we ask you to create
in us a clean heart and renew in us a steadfast spirit. Help us to remember
that now, today is the right time, the acceptable time to encounter and know
your love. Fill us with the hope that by your grace we are journeying together
in your love. Amen!
A Runner's Thoughts: "Run in
the present moment, not from something and not to something. Strive for a
grace-filled as well as a graceful run." ...Roger Joslin
Daily Blessing: Greetings on
this Holy and Blessed Ash Wednesday – welcome to Lent! I hope you will find the
time today to say a little prayer and to be signed by the cross of ashes that
will send you on your own journey of Lent.
My prayer of blessing today comes from
the liturgy itself – I pray that God blesses us all with the wisdom to know
just how fragile we are that we came from dust and it is to dust that our
bodies will return. I pray for God’s blessing of strength that we can turn away
from the things that lead us away from God and that we can be faithful to the
Gospel. May today be truly a blessed one and may it be the beginning of a
wonderful, faith filled journey through Lent. May it be a journey that renews you,
strengthens you and enlivens you with the gifts of God's Faith, Hope and Love!
Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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