ASH WEDNESDAY 05 March 5, 2014

Ash in Christian philosophy is a signed of repentance;

In Scripture do you remember Job, after having endured his trials and tribulations, repents before God with dust and ashes?  While Jeremiah, rolled in ashes as sign of repenting to God.

Ashes remind us that all things are temporary in our world, and we will all, one day, become ashes and dust. In the book of Genesis, God tells Adam, “Dust you are, and to dust you will return.” 

As we start this first day of Lent we need to remember that our days are numbered. Therefore Ash Wednesday reminds us that:

• First t we are dust, and to dust we will return.  
• Life is temporary  and short.

• Second we are fallen, and we can’t get up on our own.  We need God’s help ash create a bridge of forgiveness to receive God’s grace and love.

• Third this is a period of prayer, fasting and self-denial. From  now until we celebrate Easter we are required to  spend more  time alone with  God.

• Fourth it is a time of fasting and crying for salvation  to eternal life.

 

Jesus caution that: “...when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so 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.”

What is special with Ash Wednesday:

• Lent It’s not an easy journey. 

• It’s a scary journey because it means we are giving up control to God. 

• if we can give God our life the reward is greater than anything we can buy.

• Lent is  repentance which leads us to question our own motives and actions.

As we are ready to start this salvation journey let us join millions who prayed this prayer:

“Lent is about remembering who we are and who God is and what is really important in this life that is – in the face of all eternity – so short and precious.

 Father, tonight we are starting our journey. Our journey to further deepen our relationship with you. Tonight we acknowledge the deep yearning within our souls to be reunited with you. Tonight, O God, as we offer our confessions to you, as we take the mark of the cross on our bodies, may you place your mark in our lives. 

Bring us ever closer to you, Lord. Help us to see the love you have for us and for your creation, allowing us to share this love with those we meet on our journey. Help us to be pure in heart so when people look at us, they do not see our own desires, but may they see Jesus Christ and the love you have for all your children.

 Help us to see, O God, that we are doing here tonight is worthy of your blessing as we so deeply want to know you more and more. Tonight, O God, may we start this journey, a journey that will continue our whole life long, until we enter the glory of your presence. Father, for all these things we give you glory, praise and thanksgiving, in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Amen”