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

Lent begins. We move from the season of Epiphany and focus on our hearts and our relationship to God. We focus on how we can renew our lives with humility and renew our commitment to service. When I served in the parish, I loved encouraging people to take something up, rather than giving something up. Folks love giving something up and making sure everyone knows about their great sacrifice. What if we, instead, took up a service, an agency or family that needed our help? What if we quietly shared our resources, in the abundance of the holiday season and did it without noise or recognition? We then would be more like the tax collector than the Pharisee.

Splendid Creator, constantly turning

you find us in our weariness and toil

you seek us in our darkest nigthfalls

and you call us to simply be holy and humble.

Help us to quietly observe this Lenten season

turning from pride to honest self examination

changing our ways to align with your love

changing our live to serve your people.

Help us to rededicate our live to you

give us the strength to leave greed alone

help us to move to those in greatest need

make us your peole again, dear Lord. Amen.