Devotion – March 2, 2022 – Ash Wednesday
A blessed good morning to everyone.
Today is a day of special holiness – it is “Ash Wednesday.” Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, which is a time of deep personal reflection. We are asked to look inside ourselves and see where we have failed to live out the life Christ calls us too. This isn’t “fun” but it is necessary.
Besides a time of repentance, Ash Wednesday also calls us to see in the most real way that our lives have a limit; that we won’t be around forever, that the day will come when we will return to the earth – our earthly lives have a limit. Reflecting on our mortality isn’t a curse, it’s a blessing, because it reminds us to get our priorities in order, and do what needs to be done, and not wait until a later date to do the important things – for that day might now come. As people come forward tonight, the sign of the cross in ash will be applied to their forehead. As this is happening the words are said, “From dust you were made and to dust you shall return.”
But, we know that our lives don’t end at our death – we know the hope Jesus has given us. So, in the service we will move from the ashes to the table of the Lord, where we will share in the body of blood of Jesus, which we know is a foretaste of the great feast to come!
Yes, our lives on earth have a limit – so let us prioritize our time and do the things that are essential, not the things that are simply important. Let us reflect on our shortcomings in our faith journey, knowing that in Christ we are new creations and can live new empowered lives. And let us always find the hope in the holy meal of Jesus, which reminds us that after our days on earth are over, there is still much life to be lived.
I hope to see you all at this precious service. We will celebrate Ash Wednesday service at 7:00 p.m. at Argyle Lutheran.
God bless, Dan