Ash Wednesday 13 Feb 2013

Begin Lent -
Cock Pheasant , far-carrying crowing call
often with a flapping of wings.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Abbot Mark ...     Sent: Wednesday, 13 February 2013, 15:47
Subject: Ash Wednesday 2013

 

Introduction to Mass                              Ash Wdnesday, 2013

‘Come, let us return to the Lord. . . After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up.’

These words of Hoseah, in a way, foretell the death and resurrection of Christ.  But they also refer to us as we journey this Lent to our own death and resurrection in him.  Lent is a time of struggle but it is also a means to joy and fulfilment in the Lord.

Homily

The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was symbolised by the palm branches we held in our liturgical celebration last Palm Sunday.  The remnants of these same branches were destroyed – burnt to ashes – to show how fragile is worldly glory.  With these ashes we will receive a sign of the cross on our foreheads, in a few moments’ time, to remind us of what happened to our Lord so soon after his welcome from the crowds.  That same sign is what we remember and walk with during these coming weeks of Lent.

But, destruction and death are not the meaning of our Christian lives.  We receive meaning from following the One who rose in glory and joy at Easter.  We do indeed have to endure the hardships and pain that that come from standing up to evil and the sin in the world and in ourselves, but we can do that with joy and peace in our hearts because Christ has already conquered in himself.

Lent therefore is not a time of gloom, whatever our sin and need of forgiveness.  It is the everlasting mercy and love of God shown us in his Son which gives meaning to life.  God created us without us but he cannot save us without us, as has been said so often.  Our part in our salvation is simply to be open and ready to receive this mercy and joy through the One who saves us.

We become passengers with Christ on this life journey of Lent – but willing passengers.  We are being carried through these Lenten days by Christ.  We cannot be saved without him.

Like Peter walking on the disturbed waters of the lake towards Jesus, we can do it so long as we keep looking towards him and thinking about him rather ourselves.  It’s when we look back at what we are doing that we lose confidence.  So, in this true spirit of trust and faith, let us begin our Lenten journey.