Daily
Thoughts:
Ash Wednesday 2016 – 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 looking
too far ahead, St. Paul was always 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, mercy,
joy, hope and God's love. In Psalm 139 we are reminded of God’s 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.
Daily
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:
Wednesday greetings and blessings to all 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.
We had a
nice closing to the mission at St. Anthony’s last night. The weather cooperated
and those who came were spirit filled. I think our two days together was a nice
preparation for this year’s Lenten journey!
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 us, strengthens us and enlivens us with the gifts of
God's mercy, faith, hope and love! Peace in Christ's Passion...Fr. Paul
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