Ash Wednesday 2024

Tonight we begin the season of Lent.

As we have been talking about Lent is a time of reflection and repentance as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus at Easter.

While Christmas has Advent with its focus on a joyful anticipation of the Birth of Jesus.....

Lent is the solemn journey towards of the death and ressurection of Jesus.

Let’s take some time to focus on the words of the prophet Isaiah as we begin our lenten journey.

Isaiah 58:1-12

1 “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins. 2 For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.

3 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?”

“6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

“11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

Isaiah is speaking to the people of Israel, who were fasting and observing religious rituals, but were not living in accordance with God's will.

They were neglecting the needs of the poor and oppressed and were not treating others with justice and compassion.

Then they were crying out to God wondering why their fasting was not being honored. In essence they were saying God we fasted now you have to hold up your end of the deal.

Isaiah responds by calling them to examine their motives for fasting and to consider what true worship looks like.

He tells them that true fasting is not just about abstaining from food or performing religious rituals, but it is also about doing justice and showing mercy. It is about caring for the needy and the marginalized.

In essences Isaiah makes a case that religious practice is more than a routine.. its practice is designed to keep us living faith in practical ways.

Isaiah 58: 6-7 “6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

In other words Isaiah is saying the reason there is no power in their fast is becuase they are looking at them from a purely selfish viewpoint.

These words are especially relevant for us today as we embark on this time of fasting, and sacrifice.

If we are not careful we too can fall into the trap of going through the motions of religious observance without truly living out God's commands.

We may give up something for Lent, but if we do not also make an effort to serve others and show compassion, love deeper, or spend more time in reflection with Jesus, then our fast is empty.

Our fast during lent is designed to draw us closer to God not make us feel better. Our fast is not transactional…it is designed to help us transcend the world and it’s trappings.

It is designed to help us understand that all the things we busy ourselves with are not as important or as nessacary as our relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Isaiah's message is clear for Israel and for us:

God is not interested in empty religious rituals, but in true worship that is lived out in our daily lives.

As we begin this season of Lent, let us examine our hearts and our actions, and ask ourselves whether we are truly living out God's plan for us.

This is an important aspect of lent…it is easy to give up chocolate, or other unhealthy foods. Many people do this with a mindset of “ I am giving up something but It will be good for me...

Does this sound familiar? Isaiah was dealings with this.

This is not the right motive for Lenten fasts…Our motive is not only to identify with Jesus but draw closer to Jesus.

Let us not simply fast from food, but also from the things that distract us from God and from serving others.

Be bold and fast something significant, not just chocolate, or fast food…these should be moderated anyway…

Fasting the significant will hurt at first but if we are using that time to grow in our walk with Jesus you might be surprised at how our God will deepen our understanding of the world and of Holy Spirits presence.

Micah 6:8 reminds us.

Micah 6:8 “8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Yes we are mortal and As we receive the ashes on our foreheads, let us remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return.

Let us use this season of Lent to repent of our sins, to seek forgiveness, and to turn towards God. Then with our whole hearts serve as God is calling us to.

Let’s live out Isaiah's call to true fasting, and may we become the hands and feet of Christ in the world, showing love and compassion to all those we encounter.

RESPONSIVE READING

At this time if you are comfortable please come and receive the ash on your forehead…When you come forward we will place the sign of the cross on your forehead with the words “Remember that from dust you were formed, and to dust you shall return.”

.....then you will return to your seats to receive the benediction.

Benediction:

Go forth and serve as Christ served, in humility and love. Go and share your table with all who would come—even your betrayers and enemies. Go and be love to a world that so desperately needs it.