Life is precious and on Ash Wednesday we are reminded that one day we will all return to God. What does that look like for you?
Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet
The imposition of ashes on my forehead reminds me of the sign of the cross traced upon my forehead at the time I was baptized, and also when I seek healing by the Holy Spirit. It reminds me that I am a beautiful creation by God, a beloved child of my Heavenly Father, a part of the body of Christ, and that I am in an intimate and eternal relationship with my Creator and Saviour.
The ash burnt from palms reminds me of Jesus’ glorious entrance that brings so much hope and joy to the sufferings; the dusty ash reveals the mortality of Jesus while he was tortured and crucified for my sin; the dusky color shows my grief and penitence for my unholiness, and the light weight of the ash itself alerts me that my life is nothing without God in it and it can perish in a blink of eye.
We are dust, and to dust we will return. It’s a circle of our human life. It’s a journey of us wandering off and returning home. It’s a resurrection from our struggles and death only made possible by God’s almighty grace and unchanging love.
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
MOVIE TO WATCH
Watch "Angela's Ashes" - below is link to a guide for watching the movie, grounded in theology and confession.
PODCAST SUGGESTION
Click below to listen to "Present to Life, Moment by Moment," hosted by Jon Kabat-Zinn.