Ash Wednesday 2021

REFLECTION FOR ASH WEDNESDAY 2021

“Then the Lord God, formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” ( Gen 2:7 )

Many times in the course of my ministry, I have had the invitation to scatter the ashes of someone’s loved one. I’ve spoken the words, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

I have held handfuls of the remains and thought of the verse from Genesis. Amazing to think that it was from the dust of the ground, that life was breathed into humanity.

I think of the words that are part of the Liturgy for the Imposition of ashes that takes place each year on Ash Wednesday, the start of the journey into Lent.

The moment when the sign of the cross is placed on the foreheads of those gathered to mark the day.

“Remember dust you are and to dust you will return."

This year, of course, we cannot meet in person to mark the day, but perhaps you will take a few moments to stop and make the sign of the cross on your forehead or hands.......using oil, or oil mixed with ash and pray,

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good

His love endures forever

Into your presence we come, Lord a few moments of quietness in a busy world that demands our attention Breathe on us now that we might know your presence and your power to see this day though.

In the blazing light of your love our failings are illuminated our failure to give our failure to love our failure to follow our failure to serve our failure to be the people you would have us be. Forgive us and renew us. You know our nature know our failings Enfold us in your arms that we might daily know your forgiveness and healing love.