Thursday, February 14, 2008

Ash Wednesday

My journey through the church calendar has been slow. That is, I took quite a break. That's too bad, too, because I missed much of the Epiphany season and the beginning of the Lenten season. Well, I'm back now.

Ash Wednesday was actually more than a week ago now. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is the season in which Christians prepare their hearts for Holy Week, which includes Good Friday and Easter. Lent is to Easter as Advent is to Christmas. The difference is that Advent is a time of joyous preparation and anticipation, whereas Lent is a time of more solemn meditation as we contemplate the agonizing sacrifice that Jesus made by allowing Himself to be crucified for us.

This is a prayer that many people pray on Ash Wednesday:

Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Suggested readings:
Psalm 51:1-13
Joel 2:12-19
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

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