WEDNESDAY, March 9

Psalm 103. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

That’s a surprising psalm to hear on a day devoted to dust and ashes. Isn’t this supposed to be the day for bewailing our sins? Well, no. Ash Wednesday is the day to repent of our sins, but not to bewail them or feel crushed by them. The Ash Wednesday Collect says God hates nothing he has made, which includes sinners. And Psalm 51, the other psalm read today and the Bible’s most penitential chapter, asks God to make us “hear of joy and gladness” and for “the joy of your saving help.” Perhaps we should observe Ash Wednesday by throwing a party, a modest party, perhaps, for those recovering from Mardi Gras excesses, but a party nonetheless. This penitential joy arises from the fact that our sins, though real, are done for, washed away, erased.

So go to church today. Go to repent and be renewed. Get that ash on your forehead because you’re a sinner, you are but dust, like the grass of the field, and you are lost without Jesus. But then remember that you are not without Jesus, wash the ash off, and enjoy the rest of the day the way redeemed sinners are meant to enjoy every day.

PRAY for the Diocese of Medak (South India)

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 or Oremus Bible browser.

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Mar 09, 2011 at 1:10 am

Written by Philip McGhee,

Metanoia,the Greek word for repentance is the opposite of ----paranoia. Lent gives the opportunity to get with our mind (meta=with),rather against our mind (para=against).

Ash Wednesday - not so sure

Mar 09, 2011 at 6:55 am

Written by Christy,

I've never commented before; but this just didn't feel right. I don't disagree with a thing the author said, yet somehow it simply doesn't ring true in today's world. It seems to me that this world is constantly seeking a way to "forget our sinfullness," and move on without really dwelling upon it. It is true that we are redeemed sinners...it is also true that without the horrific crucifixion of God's Son, Jesus Christ, we would be wearing those ashes forever. Somehow this generation wants only to recall breaking through the ribbon at the finish line, without thought of all that went before to prepare us for it. A few hours with ashes on our forehead to help remember where we would be without the death of Jesus seems a small price to pay.

Editor, Forward Day by Day

Mar 09, 2011 at 8:07 am

Written by Richard H. Schmidt,

I write to reply to the comment of Christy, with which I agree. As the author of this meditation (and the rest of this month), I was not seeking to discount the prevalence or seriousness of sin. In fact, I am one of those Christians who carries a sense of my unworthiness with me wherever I go. The hard thing for me is not to remember my sinfulness---I remember that with no effort---but to remember that I am redeemed. Change of topic: In the future we shall be encouraging our authors to identify themselves in this space and to engage with you who post comments here. I would have done so earlier this month if I had not been out of town (will be away later in the month as well). Thanks to all who post comments here.

...

Mar 09, 2011 at 9:02 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

"...see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way,..."

This statement in Ash Wednesday's New Testament reading helped me balance my sinfulness with my redemption. Balance is such a fragile thing. Like a child, it is vulnerable to subtle obstacles.

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Mar 09, 2011 at 9:08 am

Written by irma,

really like the idea of engaging with the writer of the meditations. thank you.

I love lent

Mar 09, 2011 at 9:29 am

Written by Sarah,

What the author wrote resonates with me... maybe I am anticipating the victory feeling of easter 40 days early. But Lent is my favorite season of the church and my favorite church service.
The service is so beautiful and moving. It reaches those parts that have been broken with the grace and wonderfulness of the gospel that somehow it is hard for me not to rejoice a wee bit. Death has been conquered! I don't have to stay in the desert forever! My God had gone before me to do great things! Light conquers the darkness!
I feel like this season of the Church affirms when I've been in the wilderness or in darkness and have been hurting and broken. It reminds me that Jesus went there too. It is a time of deepening faith, of waiting, of anticipation, and of self denial. Someone tweeted this great quote that reflects Lent a bit for me : Joy is not the absence of sorrow, but the settled conviction that the gospel is true in the face of sorrow. Lent helps us face sorrow and find that settled conviction that the gospel is true... and that brings me joy! I will not feel broken forever, I will not hunger and thirst forever, God will answer me and redeem me!

Feeling Joy for Lent

Mar 09, 2011 at 10:40 am

Written by Alecia,

Once again, the Holy Spirit has gifted me with words of wisdom that seem to reflect exactly where I am or what I need - this time through Richard's reflection. My journal entry from this morning (prior to seeing Today's Reflection) starts off: "Lent is here, and I am so thankful. I'm really looking forward to the Lenten season this year. I would almost describe it as a sense of joy to be entering into Lent." I will confess that I have never felt this way about Lent before, nor can I tell you exactly why I feel this way now. I just have a profound sense of God's love for me and peace that I am exactly where God wants me to be - despite my sins and shortcomings. Like Richard, I am very much aware of the ways I fail to live up to the person God created me to be. I'm not looking to gloss over them. At the same time, I think God wants us to live joyous and peace-filled lives, and that it's possible to do so regardless of our circumstances. How many missioners have attested to such? I believe that we can be so mindful of our sins that we blot out joy and peace. And I believe when we do that, God's heart breaks for us.

Repent

Mar 09, 2011 at 11:11 am

Written by Frederick Wright,

I find these commentaries right on track, for God so love the world that he gave us Jesus to teach us, heal us, guild us and yes, make us whole by death and fogivness. I think the repenting in this world might be to accept Jesus as the King and turn around from old doggma and rejoice in His Love and His people's love. Yes turn around from hate,proud,greed,lust etc to live a life of faith in Jesus to full fill His Joy, Peace and Everlasting Love.

My Foursquare check in today, inspired by the Homily at tonight's service

Mar 10, 2011 at 2:33 am

Written by Jeffrey Scott,

7:55 PM
St. Margaret's of Scotland Episcopal Church
"Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 is the Gospel reading, followed by Imposition of Ashes. It ought to be called "Irony Wednesday."

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