| This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday. From “Marked by Ashes” by Walter Brueggemann(click here to read the full poem) |
| Dear Friends, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:2).” These opening words from Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one in a list of sentences of Scripture provided in the Book of Common Prayer (affectionately, BCP) for beginning Morning Prayer. While it might seem appropriate to choose an opening sentence from the Lent options (Jesus said, “If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34) or Holy Week options (All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6), I choose this one. It is indicated as appropriate “At Any Time;” so it fits. And maybe it fits best this year because we might no longer recall how we marked our seasons together. And, God’s Grace is undivided. This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday. This line from Brueggemann’s poem, Marked by Ashes is the last one anchoring our weekly reflections throughout Lent. Does it resonate? Does this final Wednesday feel a long way from Ash Wednesday, longer than the six weeks between? Maybe it feels much like the past two years. A lot has between the two Aprils (April 2020 and April 2022); just as much has happened between the two Wednesdays. That makes the experience of time lengthen, right? Have we marked the important things this season? Have we mark them the past two years? The pandemic hindered the ways we have been able to mark important things: the joyful and sorrowful events in our individual and communal lives. We might feel awkward about getting back to it now. We have begun to step into a new place, individually and collectively – moving toward a familiar that feels unfamiliar that will get us to a new and different familiar. That is what the journey toward Resurrection is. I’m grateful to be stepping forward with you. Trust in the grace and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s offer it to one another. In Peace, Rev. Dina |