Thoughts for the Day

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near—
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness!
Like blackness spread upon the mountains
a great and powerful army comes;
their like has never been from of old,
nor will be again after them
in ages to come....

Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
 gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.

Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
“Where is their God?”’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and it brings us many customs from our past. It starts a period of serious reflection and self-examination - just read through Joel's warnings again! Centuries ago public penitents had ashes placed on their heads and clothes, to reflect their penitence. They would appear barefoot at church and perform penance for their sins, and were often only allowed in the first part of the Service, until Easter Sunday. Friends and relatives began to accompany them, perhaps in sympathy and in the knowledge that no person is free from sin, so gradually a cross made from ash would be placed on each person's forehead.

Today, many churches still observe the habit of 'ashing', but Lent also brings other changes. The colour purple comes in, possibly in a priest's stole or in a pulpit fall, as mourning for our sin. Other churches will remove an altar covering to leave a bare table, music might be less joyful, and flowers removed for the six weeks of Lent (except for Mothering Sunday). All these are outward signs that we are entering a period of reflection and penitence.

Personally, I have no truck with the idea of giving up, say, chocolates. It's more important that we take on something and look at our relationship with God, perhaps examine ourselves and our lifestyle, or make more time for worship or prayer, or start some serious bible study. If we do, we shall find Easter Sunday with its news of the Resurrection, its flowers, candles and music will have an amazing effect upon us as we proclaim:

"Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"

Collect for Ash Wednesday*

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

* Can be said each Day in Lent.