#40 Ash Wednesday

God! My God! It’s you—
    I search for you!
    My whole being thirsts for you!
    My body desires you
        in a dry and tired land,
        no water anywhere.  – Ps. 63:1, CEB

Just like a deer that craves streams of water,
    my whole being craves you, God.
My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When will I come and see God’s face?
My tears have been my food both day and night,
    as people constantly questioned me,
    “Where’s your God now?”  - Ps. 42:1-3, CEB

image from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Today is Ash Wednesday – the 40 day journey of Lent begins today.  On this day we are to be reminded of our sin and be called to repentance.   

 

As today appears to be shaping up to be a lovely day I thought I might grab a bit of help from the United Methodist Book of Worship to help set the mood:

“The visual environment should be solemn and stark.  Purple is the traditional color throughout Lent; but on Ash Wednesday gray, with its suggestion of ashes, is especially appropriate.  Dark earth colors or any somber hues are also appropriate.  Rough, coarse textures such as burlap – sackcloth and ashes – suggest the character of the day and season.” – UM Book of Worship, 1992 p321 

I hope that you take services today seriously but be reminded that this is also the start of the Christian New Year!  Ash Wednesday begins our journey towards the empty tomb.

For more on Ash Wednesday - watch this video from our friend Chuck! 

Be blessed this day.