Ash Wedndsay 2022

What I am about to say may seem like a complete contradiction to everything we have been saying up to now....But it is not.

The Point of the Lenten season is not suffering. Even though it is encouraged to take time to fast, pray and meditate on the suffering of Jesus…the focus is not to celebrate suffering but to be reminded that suffering is temporary and the ressurection is sure.

Jesus was persecuted in a very public and brutal way. He was humiliated, beaten, and eventually killed in the most publically barbaric way possible at the time.

However the suffering was never exploited by Jesus or the early Church. It was not used to stir up a revolution or used as a call to arms.

The Suffering was quietly embraced and endured by Jesus. The suffering of Jesus can be seen as a foreshadowing of the possibilities or better yet the reality for all who choose to follow the way of Jesus.

Luke 9:23–27 NLT

23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”

Even In this passage the idea suffering is not primary. The Suffering that is called for is the giving up of self to live in the Joy of salvation.

Suffering is a reminder that the pleasures of this world do not lead to Jesus but instead have the ability to lead to death.

It is a reminder that this world will have its end and all the money, wealth, privilege and power that so many live their entire life for will end in ruin.

All of the material “blessings” will rust, or be burned up and forgotten in time.

Even our own physical life will end. However none of this is to be feared for the believer.

In fact it is important to remember that followers who willingly and quietly sacrifice worldly gains are actually practicing faith in the power of Jesus ressurection, and the promise of the ressurection of the dead during the second coming of Christ.

That is why during the season of lent we purposefully choose ways to willingly suffer so that on Easter we are ready to celebrate the joy of our salvation and the power of the ressurection of Jesus Christ.

Remembering that we are made from dust and to dust we will return does not give death the final word but reminds us of the power and victory Jesus has over death.

I have always been impressed with our Catholic brothers and sisters on Ash Wednsday in that many of them receive the imposition of ash in the morning and wear it on their forehead all day.

On the surface this may seem like a contradiction to our Gospel reading to not draw attention to our prayers or fasting.

However in all the times I have seen people wear the ash all day not one time did any of them draw unnatural attention to it.

They did not make it part of their discussion they did not apologize for wearing the ash they just willingly and quietly carried the sign of the cross into the world as preparation for better days to come.

That is what I want to challenge all of us to do these 40 days leading up to Easter. However it is not important that everyone know that you are fasting.

New Living Translation Chapter 6

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Resist the urge to tell people why you are not eating meat, chocolate, or at your favorite restaurant.

Resit telling them that you are getting up early to take extra time in prayer....Just do it and allow God to show you things and prepare you to experience a joy in your salvation you have never felt before.

In a few moments we will invite all that wish to come forward and receive the sign of the cross in ash on your forehead.

You will be reminded that is from dust you were formed and dust you will return. After you receive the ash on your forehead please return to you seat and we will be dismissed with a benediction

Let’s walk thought a time of guided prayer of confession to prepare our hearts.

Guided Prayer of Confession

Lord, we confess our sins before you. We confess that we have fallen short of your glory and your intent for our lives. Open our eyes that we may see ourselves with clarity and truthfulness, that we may have eyes to see all of that within us that is not pleasing to you.

(silent prayers)

Lord, we confess to you that we have not loved as we ought. We have been impatient with others with whom we could have been patient. We have disregarded those you have called us to serve. We have chosen the selfish way when you have called us to selflessness.

(silent prayers)

Lord, we confess that we have not tended to the care of our souls. We have been too busy to pray. We have been too quick to speak and too slow to listen for you. We have filled our lives with all kinds of noise instead of patiently waiting like sheep for our shepherd’s voice.

(silent prayers)

Lord, we confess our need of you. We need your grace. We need your patience. We need your guidance. Often, we do not see beyond the moment. We do not worship you as we ought. As we begin this solemn journey toward the cross, we call upon your mercy and your love.

(silent prayers)

Imposition of Ash

I will ash Stefanie She will ash me Then I will invite the rest to come forward.

Benediction Go now into this holy season in the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the Savior who gave himself for us. And may the peace of Christ be with you.