Ash Wednesday

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

Ash Wednesday

We have feasted and neglected
the needs that surround us
now we enter that quiet place
where we hear the cries of others.

We enter that stillness and solitude
we cannot out run our pain and shame
our humanity is loud and clear
God has a place to speak to us.

The world hushed, the heart beating
reluctantly we take off the noise
entering into the garden of prayer
willing ourselves to abide in grief.

Come and find some holy space
God lingers with us as we mourn
the losses, the failures and the pride
that make us one with all human kind.