Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday always congers up images of patient Job sitting in an ash heap scraping his sores and bemoaning the day he was born. Or the whole City of Nineveh expressing their repentance by wearing sackcloth and ashes after Jonah warned them of God's coming judgment, much to Jonah's disgust.

When I was growing up, we Presbyterians did not do Ash Wednesday. Definitely not. That was a pagan ritual indulged in by those Catholic heathens. But even as early as 900 AD there are records of people marking the beginning of Lent (46 days before Easter) with ashes on their heads.

By the 12th century, people had caught on to using last year's palms from Palm Sunday to make the ashes from. Thank goodness I outgrew my childish notions and embraced retro Christianity!

When I was first introduced to the idea of Lent, ashes or no ashes, I was taught that we were to examine our lives and repent of all our sins, to be sorry and somber, and to give up worldly delights and indulgent ways (eating too much and being entertained). No carrying on.

This year, Pastor Sherri encourages us to mark the season by committing to something we do not normally do, some way of reaching beyond ourselves and seeking the face of God. Yes, this is a good year for such things.

My heart speaks to me about several activities that I need to participate in. A small group to study the Bible with - the opportunity presents itself immediately. Connecting with the less fortunate via outreach ministries (2 specific ones come to mind, places I have often said I should help). No better time than now. I determine to do it.

This year I am giving up the right to remain home and uninvolved. I am giving up armchair time and movie watching. Somehow I suspect this will not be a big sacrifice on my part. I am likely to get much more out of it than I am putting into it.

I begin my Lenten Divine Hours devotional by Phyllis Tickle, coupled with the Lenten Daily Bread. Is it just my imagination, or do the days seem more peaceful, less stressed out? I am coupling personal devotions with Netflix movies about Christ's life and passion, including choral performances of a number of sacred works about Holy Week - Bach's St Matthew Passion among other works like numerous Stabat Mater's.

Already life feels richer, deeper, more satisfying. It will be a good Lent season. I am looking forward to drawing closer to God.