A Time of Repentance, Preparation and
Reflection
The season of Lent, a time of
repentance, preparation and reflection leading up to Easter is for many
Christians the most holy time of the year.
It is the forty day period (forty-six, if we count Sundays) leading to
the Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Day. An important custom in Liturgical Churches
such as Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox and Episcopal, the
observance of lent is becoming popular in other churches such as the United
Methodist, and even some independent churches.
Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent
follows a day known as either Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras: a day in places
like Albertville when pancakes, bacon and sausage are eaten, harkening back to
the tradition of giving up certain foods as a sign of sacrifice and
penitence. In places like New Orleans
and Mobile, the Pancake supper is usually passed over for the Celebration of
Carnival ending in the dramatic climax of Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday.”
Ash Wednesday is a day to slow down,
to take a deep breath and to ask God to forgive us of sins past and to “lead us
and guide us into all truth.” The
Liturgy, or worship service, on Ash Wednesday at Christ Episcopal Church is
quieter and simpler than our normal time of worship on Sunday. It will provide times for silent reflection
on our own lives and how we intend to lead a new life following in the way of
Jesus Christ, as well as reflections on the life, death and resurrection of
Jesus and what this means for the whole world.
Those who would like are also invited to the altar for the “imposition
of ashes,” which reminds us that “we are dust and to dust we shall return.” This simple but powerful act, for me, puts my
life in perspective and allows me to see my relationship with God, Neighbor and
Self as it really is.
Ash Wednesday worship begins with the
following prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing
you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.264)
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.264)
This
is followed by what, I believe, is the most powerful invitation ever offered to
those of us on this journey as God’s people.
Dear
People of God: The first Christians observed with great
devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and
it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a
devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and
it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a
season of penitence and fasting. This season of
Lent provided
a
time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning
of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning
of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel
before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. (Book
of Common Prayer, p. 265)
And finally a reminder of our mortality and our relationship with
God:
earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our
mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is
only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. (BCP, p. 265)
On Ash
Wednesday we begin this
powerful journey “through the wilderness” to the day of the glorious
resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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