Ash Friday

Almighty God,
you create us from the dust of the earth.
Let these ashes be for us
a sign of our repentance
and a symbol of our mortality.
May we always remember
that by your grace alone
we are given eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

(Methodist Worship Book)

Reflecting on Ash Wednesday, albeit two days late, has sent me in two very different directions for the ashing of this day reminds us of the need for repentance and also our own mortality.

The first of these I can embrace. I know that I am forgiven and yet I am fully aware that I am a sinner none the less. I look to the end of this journey of Lent and I see the cross that has purchased my forgiveness and I see the long journey that lies between here and there, always aware of the cross I carry. I know that I need to repent and I am daily reminded of that need. Preaching on spiritual warfare this week reminds me of the devil’s use of temptation and sin and their ever real presence behind us. Sin is there and wherever we find sin we need repentance.

Yet on the other hand, the symbol of ashes reminds us of our mortality and here I struggle. It is perhaps here that I find the reason I have struggled with Lent for a number of years. On the one hand I am aware of my human mortality and yet each and every day I know that Christ has given me eternal life – the earthly flesh may pass away but I am more than that. The fact that I have eternal life through Christ is a central part of my discipleship and I find it hard to put that on one side for 40 days. As we come through the wilderness of Lent to the darkness of Good Friday we then emerge into the light of Easter Day and yet every day is Easter Day when we rejoice in the gift of life in Christ.

So how do you start lent when you are already at Easter? Now there is something to think about for 40 days.