Ash Wednesday | Wednesday 2 March 2022

Today is Wednesday the 2nd of March, Ash Wednesday

The choir of Westminster Cathedral sing Allegri's Miserere mei. 'Have mercy on me God, in your kindness, in your compassion, blot out my offence.' As you hear these voices making this beautiful plea for God's mercy, think now of all those around the world praying today, this Ash Wednesday.
For a few moments now, as you enter into prayer, ponder how much the world needs to hear the merciful, forgiving, compassionate word of God, and how much you may need to hear it, too.

Today's reading is from the Prophet Joel.
Joel 2:12-18 (Ash Wednesday)
Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain-offering and a drink-offering for the LORD, your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.
Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep. Let them say, 'Spare your people, O LORD, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, "Where is their God?" ' Then the LORD became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.

As I engage with today's passage from Joel, I consider how the people respond to God. Who is responding? What are they doing? Or not doing? What is stirring in me as I listen?
Which words used to describe the Lord stay with me? I say these words aloud, or note them down. Why are they significant?

As I listen again I think about the type of fasting I might undertake during Lent, and how it could bring me closer to God.
On this Ash Wednesday, as Lent begins, I return to the Lord with all my heart.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.