1 Sunday's palms are Wednesday's ashes as another Lent begins;
thus we kneel before our Maker in contrition for our sins.
We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray;
now, returning, seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day!
Hymn VU 107
God our Creator, you have formed us out of the dust of the earth.
May these ashes be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence,
so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift
are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Prayer VU 106
Is there any more tactile experience in liturgical Christian worship than Ash Wednesday? Okay, baptism is up there, with the physical contact between presider and candidate and the splashing about with water. And an argument can be made for Maundy Thursday, if actual foot-washing in included in the service.
Ash Wednesday is so powerful, though, in its deliberate messiness, if that makes any sense. The imposition of holy muck, the mixture of oil and ashes from the previous year's Palm Sunday palm fronds, was always so meaningful for me during my years in pastoral ministry. Words were said to each person as they came close, but they weren't really necessary as I made the sign of the cross because the very act was powerful enough. I began ministry in 1980 so this Ash Wednesday ritual was new to many in my earlier congregations. Perhaps I didn't appreciate the courage of those willing to participate in this unique form of altar call.
I'll never forget the child who came forward one year with an obvious sense of anticipation. His mother let me know later that he was excited about getting the airplane on his forehead! Hey, when we experience repentance and forgiveness we can take flight, can't we? That may be a bit of a theological stretch.
Congregations didn't realize that they got in-person Ash Wednesday in under the wire of the first COVID shutdown in 2020, while last year we were under restriction. No doubt many will be creative this year -- a long-handled paintbrush? -- but it will be awkward to a degree.
God be with us all on this Lenten journey as we continue live through so much messiness and uncertainty for our daily lives and in the events of our world.
May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
walk
with you on the road.
May the Christ who serves with wounded hands
stretch
out your hands to serve.
May the Christ who loves with a wounded heart
open
your hearts to love.
May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet,
and
may everyone you meet
see
the face of Christ in you.
VU 349
Are you willing to "hear the bird of the Lord" during Lent this year? My Groundling blog
https://groundlingearthyheavenly.blogspot.com/2022/03/hear-bird-of-lord-in-lent.html
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