21 February ? Ash Wednesday
Bible Reading Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21.
?Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2?So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5?And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16?And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19?Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflection
Another year ? another Ash Wednesday. Many of us are saying ?golly we only just got over Christmas are we really nearly at Easter again?? The years seem to go faster and faster, yet the passage to Easter via the road called ?Lent?, reminds us to take stock, and to understand the importance of what we do each year at this time in the Christian tradition.
As we begin again the Lent journey we are called to travel well and wisely, to make God our ever constant and loving companion.
Many people see Ash Wednesday as a very sombre time, particular as we move from Ash Wednesday and travel with Jesus through Lent to Easter. But perhaps we would do well to consider what life lies at the end of the journey and celebrate not death but new life. Whilst Ash Wednesday reminds us of our own mortality, the ashes we receive today is not our end, nor our destiny. As we receive the sign of the cross from the ashes we receive a symbol of life, of healing and love. For though this Lenten journey leads to Golgotha, and though we begin it by being reminded that we did just come from dust and to dust we will return, it does not end there. This journey takes us up and over Golgotha to a garden bursting forth with a life not even death can take away.
Thought for the Day:
In what ways will you plan to travel on the journey to Easter wisely and well this Lent? What will you need for the journey ? plan today to get organised if you haven?t already done so.
Prayer:
May the grace of God be with each one of us on our journey toward healing and new life. Let us be assured of God?s forgiveness and loving presence. Let us also be aware of God?s patient urgings to walk with Jesus toward our own Jerusalems and toward whatever challenges and joys lie ahead. Amen.
Bible Reading Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21.
?Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2?So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5?And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16?And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19?Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Reflection
Another year ? another Ash Wednesday. Many of us are saying ?golly we only just got over Christmas are we really nearly at Easter again?? The years seem to go faster and faster, yet the passage to Easter via the road called ?Lent?, reminds us to take stock, and to understand the importance of what we do each year at this time in the Christian tradition.
As we begin again the Lent journey we are called to travel well and wisely, to make God our ever constant and loving companion.
Many people see Ash Wednesday as a very sombre time, particular as we move from Ash Wednesday and travel with Jesus through Lent to Easter. But perhaps we would do well to consider what life lies at the end of the journey and celebrate not death but new life. Whilst Ash Wednesday reminds us of our own mortality, the ashes we receive today is not our end, nor our destiny. As we receive the sign of the cross from the ashes we receive a symbol of life, of healing and love. For though this Lenten journey leads to Golgotha, and though we begin it by being reminded that we did just come from dust and to dust we will return, it does not end there. This journey takes us up and over Golgotha to a garden bursting forth with a life not even death can take away.
Thought for the Day:
In what ways will you plan to travel on the journey to Easter wisely and well this Lent? What will you need for the journey ? plan today to get organised if you haven?t already done so.
Prayer:
May the grace of God be with each one of us on our journey toward healing and new life. Let us be assured of God?s forgiveness and loving presence. Let us also be aware of God?s patient urgings to walk with Jesus toward our own Jerusalems and toward whatever challenges and joys lie ahead. Amen.
eace:
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