Lent's begun and with it a confrontation with reality, Remember O man that thou art dust to dust thou shall return. And with that we're knocked firmly back onto the first rung of the ascent to holiness, humility and repentance. After all, the most exalted of human endeavor is dust and ashes before the perfection of God.
So we cry out, heartrended, have mercy on me a sinner and depart from me for I am a sinful man and Christ in his turn, lifts us up upon the Cross to the Father. Consummatum Est, it is finished. Dust and death, judgement, turns to mercy and redemption won by our Lord's sacrifice on Calvary.
In union with that we find life, and ashes turn to glory.
God bless you all,
LSP
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.
Thank you for the Reality Check, Parson. That's a very touching sermon for today
ReplyDeleteHoliness, humility and repentance... I'm working on humility and repentance. I guess I'll find out about holiness when I meet Him...
Same here, drjim!
ReplyDeleteDear Lord... every blessing for a holy Lent.
Amen.
ReplyDeleteSo, LSP, what have you given up for Lent?
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful prayer, Parson.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna print that out and put it where I can use it every morning.
God grant you the strength to keep on keepin' on.
I'm bothered by people who use ash as a virtue signal - like creepy, corrupt, filthy old Joe Brandon.
ReplyDeleteHappy Lent! And yes, Lent is a time of joy.
ReplyDeleteJuliette, I've given up almost everything! Not least food.
ReplyDeleteEvery blessing for a holy Lent, Linda.
ReplyDeleteReally glad it helps, Wild. The governing collect for the season.
ReplyDeleteLL, imagine a more real universe of which ours is but a reflection or shadow. In that space the ash BURNS.
ReplyDeleteNo gain without pain, Infidel.
ReplyDelete