Ash Wednesday
Katie Harmon-McLaughlin, World Church Spiritual Formation Team lead
And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But 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. -Matthew 6:5, 6, 16-18
Today is Ash Wednesday, the day in the Christian calendar that signals the beginning of the Lenten season. This is an intentional time to journey with Christians from many traditions as we examine our lives, deepen our commitment to discipleship, and make our way with Jesus from the wilderness to the cross. The symbol of ashes has its origins in the Hebrew scriptures as a sign of humility, mortality, and a willingness to admit our utter human creatureliness in the midst of the Eternal God from which we are made and by which we are sustained.
Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. We are made from this Earth and to this Earth we will return. There is a freedom in remembering this. It highlights what really matters, re-orders our priorities and passions. In cultures unceasing in the message that we need to be more than what we are, this message can be a welcome relief. It may even come with humility of lighthearted laughter, “Oh! I forgot I’m not God! What a relief!”
This year we journey through Lent as the church has been focused on the guiding question, “Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?” This season feels like an especially significant time to be asking this question together. While it is important to focus on our actions, our responses, our life together, the question directly invites us to place our focus on Jesus-his priorities, his mission, his life and death and what that means for us and our world. Where is Jesus leading us? What does Jesus, the peaceful One, invite? Are we willing to follow where he will lead? Can we join him in the wilderness and release what restricts us so that we can embrace a deeper calling? Slowly, the long journey of Lent is a gift of growing in freedom for faithfulness to follow wherever the peaceful One will lead.
Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. God, we are yours.
Prayer Phrase
Are we moving toward Jesus, the peaceful One?
Spiritual Practice
Gospel Contemplation (Matthew 4:1-11)
Each week during Lent, you are invited to pray with a different gospel story from the life of Christ. Use your senses and imagination to enter the text. Allow it to come to life in you, observing details, noticing interactions, even engaging in dialogue. Notice where you find yourself in the story and how you feel about what is happening. Notice what it evokes in you or invites of you. Take time to journal or enter silent prayer to reflect on your experience and to sense where the Spirit may be leading you through this scriptural encounter.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
