I forgot about Ash Wednesday - a fairly central event on the Church calendar that kicks of the "LENT" season where we prepare ourselves for the Passover (Easter). It seems quite ironic to miss the start of what has often been an increased season of prayer, reflection and personal discipline - when I've also been trying to pay attention to those things this year. Funny how busyness is like an infection and spreads to all areas of our lives. The seemingly inevitable inertia of small projects simply hip-checks the huge realities of Christ's journey to the side. I feel bad. Not the kind of bad where I'm overladen with guilt and can't catch-up - just bad that I missed it...bad that I allow the tyranny of the urgent to crowd out the important moments of reflection.. bad that I preach about discipline and lack it myself. hmmm. that said - what I have been reflecting on (and in community) is the Exodus account... which of course is the beginning of the story of Passover... pointing to Easter and all that jazz... I was reflecting today (in my catch up) about how Jesus also began his long walk to freedom (the cross and resurrection) with a confrontation in the Temple (you know the whole turning the tables episode?!). And of course that Pharaoh confronting occasion was all about justice... hmmm. So, I may be busy and running around and trying to play catch-up in a multitude of ways - but I'm only one day late... I'm going to spread ashes on my checks too in penance ;-) - and I'm definately going to be eating the Passover meal with my coat on and my gown tucked in - chewing as fast as I can.. ready. ready. ready. ready to go on God's word and make a sprint for the red sea! FREEEEEDOOM. Bring. It. On.
3 comments:
Hi Danielle
Our Women's Bible Study has been conentrating on the subject of the love of Jesus, being the One and Only Lover of our soul and the next lesson is inclusive of the Last Supper. It is important to keep Exodus in mind when looking at Calvary. It is critical to see that Luke describes the third cup (the cup of redemption)being passed when Jesus claims, "This is my Blood spilled for you"
Jesus, the lover of our soul, has freedom as a gift for us, if we have the faith that is willing to embrace His bigness, His greatness, His narrow way that is so rock steady sure that is saves everyone.
Exodus and Easter go together like peas and carrots.
Good posting today - sorry to know you missed your ashes, but God is so much more willing to forgive us than we are to forgive ourselves.
At one corps appointment I ended up doing the Kids story before childrens church and there were a couple of kids who were at the very least menance' the sunday before ash wed. I wanted to explain the significance of the mnore formal churches' ceremony of burning ashes and smearing on the fore head in the sign of a cross 'during lent the cross is always on our mind' - This was my chance to get even with my nemesis in font of the whole congregation. They readily volunteered to help me and to my surprise more than willing to have me 'paint'- didn't have any ashes on thier forheads!!! I was dissapointed! but moved later in the week when thier mortified mother told me they didn't want the cross washed off ... they wanted to wear it to school and explain to thier class mates - pray that as we focus on inner reflection this will give us reason/cause& need to wittness
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