Ash Wednesday
The last time I led or participated in an Ash Wednesday service was 1999. Last night was the first time I have ever offered the homily as part of an Ash Wednesday service. I am serving as part-time interim minister at Broad Street Christian Church in Martinsville, VA. My service began two weeks before Christmas. It is an honor and pleasure to journey with them. Click here to download the bulletin from last night. Click here to download the homily.
From the Bulletin
This is the invitation to the Lenten journey. To: prepare, reconcile, repent, seek and gift mercy, mortality, know yourself, prayer, fasting, deny yourself, read scripture, listen, silence, dust, ashes, kneel . . . now. God’s vision for creation is revealed in the life and teachings of Jesus, whom we call Christ. During Lent ask yourself, “How well is that vision revealed in my life?”
From the Homily
I think the Lenten season is a reminder that a journey with Jesus meanders. We want the certainty of a straight and quick trip. But, I think that is not the way of lent. It is a map with partial trails marked, arrows, landmarks, and few written directions. Marked on the map are wells where strangers meet and draw water for one another, water front property can become teaching space, and dusty roads are places where Samaritans live the commandments.