Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Ash Wednesday
Steve Falci
The Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all 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 you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings: Isaiah 58:1-12
Today is Ash Wednesday and we begin another Lenten Journey. But wait! Does it not feel like we are in midst of the longest Lent of our lives? The COVID plague that came to us in Lent last year continues. It has brought death, pain, suffering and isolation to many. It has broken cherished routines, altered celebrations of important life milestones, and left us very weary. Indeed, our 40 days in the desert is approaching 400 – and it certainly feels that way to me!
In no way minimizing the hardships, I also believe our extended time in the wilderness has provided the opportunity to gain new insights and inspire new initiatives that God may be leading us to. For me, it has provided the opportunity for extended reflection and discernment about new directions in my life. For our community, while we yearn to be together for worship in person, we are blessed to have creative committed priests and staff that found ways to bring meaningful worship to us virtually, efforts that have extended the welcoming ethos of St. John’s beyond our local community. We got to know each other better through these daily reflections and Zoom meetings. We have continued to help feed the hungry and a number of us have had the opportunity to explore systemic racism through the Sacred Space program culminating in an imperative for discernment to act on the signs of the times to contribute to ending systemic racism once and for all.
Today’s reading from the prophet Isaiah, provides guidance and support as we continue the journey through Lent this year.
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.
Though weary from all we have experienced over the last year, let us recommit ourselves to the journey and revel in the solace of knowing that we are always accompanied by God. This Lent, let us slow down, listen for God’s guidance in our lives - whether it be a change in life direction or an increased awareness to be more present to minister to those around us in need here and now. For if we follow God’s guidance and discern where God may be leading us to action, we will receive the consolation described by Isaiah – “and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.”