ash wednesday

Ash Wednesday, February 18

Come to Stillness: Take a few minutes to allow your mind and heart to be still before God.

          

Opening Prayer: O God. We give ourselves over to your care, trusting only in your infinite mercy and love.  We will continue to give thanks to you, O Lord, for all that we have and all that we are.  We will rest assured in the knowledge that when we cry to you in sadness or in joy you will hear our cry and make reply.  Amen. (A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God by Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck, and John Mogabgab)

                     

Scripture Reading for the Day: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Reading for Reflection:

 

Because I do not hope to turn again

Because I do not hope

Because I do not hope to turn

Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope

I no longer strive to strive towards such things

(Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?)

Why should I mourn

The vanished power of the usual reign?

 

Because I do not hope to know

The infirm glory of the positive hour

Because I do not think

Because I know I shall not know

The one veritable transitory power

Because I cannot drink

There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is

  nothing again

 

Because I know that time is always time

And place is always and only place

And what is actual is actual only for one time

And only for one place

I rejoice that things are as they are and

I renounce the blessèd face

And renounce the voice

Because I cannot hope to turn again

Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something

Upon which to rejoice

 

And pray to God to have mercy upon us

And pray that I may forget

These matters that with myself I too much discuss

Too much explain

Because I do not hope to turn again

Let these words answer

For what is done, not to be done again

May the judgment not be too heavy upon us

 

Because these wings are no longer wings to fly

But merely vans to beat the air

The air which is now thoroughly small and dry

Smaller and dryer than the will

Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still.

Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death

Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.

(Ash Wednesday by T. S. Eliot)

Reflection and Listening: silent and written

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself    

                    

Closing Prayer: O Lord, thank you that you would rather tear me to pieces than allow me to continue being something other than that which I was created to be.  Now that is true love!  Help me, during this day and during this season, to return to you with all my heart.  Amen.