It's Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day, when we celebrate a martyr, love, and mark our foreheads with an ashen cross as a sign of penance; remember, O man, that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return.
Love is the unifying factor in this apparent clash of Feasts. The love of the martyr for Christ, even to death, the love of a man for a woman and the love of our Lord, supremely manifested on Calvary. So perhaps the calendar isn't as confusing as it seems but I'll spare you the sermon. Here's the Collect instead.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost 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.
God bless you all this Lent,
LSP
Blessed be Padre!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, Parson.
Like you, I don't see a conflict between the man-made Valentine's Day, the feast of St. Valentine, and Ash Wed.
ReplyDeleteAnd........my entire schedule got snowed out this morning, so no Mass, no history club, and no Weight Watchers.
However, I just received this email:
Dear Parishioners,
Fr. Gordon has graciously added a evening low Mass on Ash Wednesday (today) at 6:30 pm. Ashes will be distributed before Mass.
May Lent be fruitful.
God bless you,
YAY!!!
The best part is I picked today to act like an adult and fix my hair/makeup before doing household chores. Why is that important? Because, all I have to do is pop into a skirt, touch up the lipstick, and hit the road later.
Double YAY!
God bless you, LSP
Beautiful collect...good post!
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Brig!
ReplyDeleteAll the best for a holy Lent, Linda.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it all worked out, Adrienne.
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Thanks, KPH.
ReplyDelete