Ash Wednesday

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."


A repost from 2009 when I was a better blogger...



Today we begin our Lenten journey we are reminded of our mortality and humanity. Anglicans, like Roman Catholics, are required to attend Ash Wednesday services for the imposition of ashes (and the Holy Eucharist) as we begin this penitential season of fasting and prayer. Lent is not optional for us -- we are invited and called to prayer and fasting. It may be strange to some but I love Lent.

A little on the history of Ash Wednesday.

As we begin this season of fasting, we often give up certain foods but the spirit of fasting is related more to freeing ourselves from outside control, distractions and temptations which separate us from God. Can we let go of that which controls us and give ourselves over to freedom found in a closer walk with the Lord as a child of God? A freedom which allows us to serve Him - to shape God's kingdom on earth.

St. John Chrysostom on Fasting
[from Sermons on the Statutes]

Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.
Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet
and the hands and all the members of our bodies.
Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.
For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour
our brothers?

May He who came to the world to save sinners strengthen us to complete the
fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us.