Message of Ash Wednesday 2008
Published: Mon, 02/04/08
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MESSAGE OF THE DAY
This is the mark of Christianity-however much one toils, and
however many righteousnesses one performs, to feel that you have
done nothing, and in fasting to say, "This is not fasting," and in
praying, "This is not prayer," and in perseverance at prayer, "I
have shown no perseverance; I am only just beginning to practice
and to take pains"; and even if you righteous before God, you
should say, "I am not righteous, not I; I do not take pains, but
only make a beginning every day."
-St. Macarius the Great
(The "beginner's attitude" -- a good way to begin Lent.)
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/
Jl 2:12-18; Ps. 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17; 2 Cor
5:20--6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
R. (see 3a) Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
"Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight."
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
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REFLECTION ON THE SCRIPTURES
- from "Daily Bread"
http://www.preacherexchange.com/daily_bread.htm
- Ash Wednesday
When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and
pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see
them. The incongruity of today's celebration with Jesus' words in
the Gospel is obvious. Yes, the ashes that mark our foreheads
remind us of our humanity. But on a day when we clothe ourselves
with such a public symbol of penitence, we're warned against
outward shows of righteousness. Yet there is comfort and
encouragement in this communal show of our desire to change our
hearts and our lives. And there is nothing more obvious than the
fact that we're all sinners. There is little hypocrisy in our
desire to support one another on this Lenten journey if we truly
yearn for atonement. We cannot do this alone. We need God, and we
need each other. Together let us make this a time of grace.
Merciful Lord, thank you for looking past our sins and into our
hearts. Amen.
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NOTES FROM A CLASSICAL WORK
- "Meister Eckhart's Sermons"
The second means of attraction which He used is Emptiness, as we
see when we place one end of a hollow pipe in water, and draw up it
by suction; the water runs up the stem to the mouth, because the
emptiness of the pipe, from which the air has been drawn, draws the
water to itself. So Our Lord Jesus Christ made Himself empty that
He might wisely draw all things to Himself. Therefore He let all
the blood that was in His Body flow out, and so attracted to Himself
all the compassion and grace that was in His Father's heart, so
completely and profitably as to suffice for the whole world.
Accordingly, the Father said, "My compassion will I never forget,"
and further, "Now, My Son, be bold and strong that Thou mayest lead
the people altogether into the land which I have promised, the land
of heavenly joys, the land which floweth with the honey of My
Godhead, and with the milk of Thy manhood."
- Sermon One, "The Attractive Power of God"
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REVIEW OF DAY
- from, "Handbook for Spiritual Directees"
http://shalomplace.com/view/hndbk-lite.pdf
Here is a practice used by many at the end of the day to see what
lessons can be learned and how God was present and active through
the day. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes at the end of the
day for prayer and review of your day. A suggested format is
described below:.
1. Take a few moments of quiet. Breathe deeply. Ask God to help you
see yourself as you truly were during the day.
2. Look back over your day - not to see what you did wrong but to
honestly acknowledge what was going on with you and others.
* What happened? What did I do today?
* How did I feel? Why did I feel that way?
* Were my expectations and beliefs reasonable?
3. Affirm the healthy things you recognize.
4. Admit to yourself and God the unhealthy things. Ask God's
forgiveness, believe it is yours, then decide if you need to
apologize or make amends.
5. Use creative visualization to grow stronger. Honestly
acknowledge the troubling situations of the day. See and feel
yourself acting honestly and lovingly in these situations. Ask God
for the grace to help you act in this new way.
6. Close with simple awareness of the sights and sounds around you,
grateful for the good things in your life.
This process can be undertaken as a daily journal exercise or by
prayerfully reviewing your day in your own mind. I like to take a
walk before bedtime for examen. The important thing is to do it. It
is a discipline, to be sure, but a very important one.
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