Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ashes...
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season for those churches or denominations that follow a Liturgical Year. It is traditionally a day of fasting and prayer and focusing on our sinful nature as we enter a 40 day period leading to Easter and its Joys and promises of forgiveness and life. I have always found that celebrating Lent and Holy Week added to the impact of all that Easter represents by reminding me/focusing me on an awareness of all that Jesus had to die for.
Lent is also a period when typically people "give things up", while that is good it is also important, maybe more important, to put something positive in the place of what you give up. To redeem that time for the Lord and not just try and loose a bad habit, but instead to replace it with building a good habit that glorifies the Lord.
The Bible Study I am working on (Grace to Stand Firm, Grace to Grow by Carol J. Ruvolo) had this question today. "How often do you go through an entire day without eating food (aside from days set apart for fasting and prayer)? How often do you go through an entire day without reading and studying the Bible? Based on your answers to these questions, can you say that your desire the milk of the Word like a baby desires milk? If you answered no to the last question, list several ways you can increase your desire for the Word of God." She goes on to encourage you to make a specific plan including accountability.
The Episcopal prayer book Collect for the Day is: "Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and doest 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 obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
Readings for today are: Joel 2:12-17 and Matthew 6:16-21
Lent is also a period when typically people "give things up", while that is good it is also important, maybe more important, to put something positive in the place of what you give up. To redeem that time for the Lord and not just try and loose a bad habit, but instead to replace it with building a good habit that glorifies the Lord.
The Bible Study I am working on (Grace to Stand Firm, Grace to Grow by Carol J. Ruvolo) had this question today. "How often do you go through an entire day without eating food (aside from days set apart for fasting and prayer)? How often do you go through an entire day without reading and studying the Bible? Based on your answers to these questions, can you say that your desire the milk of the Word like a baby desires milk? If you answered no to the last question, list several ways you can increase your desire for the Word of God." She goes on to encourage you to make a specific plan including accountability.
The Episcopal prayer book Collect for the Day is: "Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and doest 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 obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
Readings for today are: Joel 2:12-17 and Matthew 6:16-21
