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.
