WEDNESDAY, February 17 Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17. Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.

Lent begins today, and the time is ripe to remind ourselves of what it means to keep Lent. First of all, it is clearly a special season. Out of the 365 days, forty are chosen in which we are called to make a special effort.

Human nature is so made that if unseen realities, like God and the soul, are left to be attended to at just any time, in the hope that somehow they will be attended to at all times, the chances are they will not be attended to at all.

If we are to move forward, we can best do it by making special efforts at special times. Through all the year we need what Lent brings us, but we can make that discovery only by keeping Lent. Thus, like most of the church's traditions, Lent is founded on common sense, and on the deep needs of human nature. (1954)

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. Amen.

–Collect for Ash Wednesday

PRAY for the Diocese of Barbados (West Indies)

Ps 103 or 103:8-14; Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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