Ash Wednesday (6)
Here we are on Maundy Thursday and I'm still talking about Ash Wednesday! But we have finally come to the part of the service where the ashes are imposed and I think it draws our hearts to a humble place which prepares us for these next few days. So we will continue on with the service.
(Note: the bold print is what the congregation says.)
The celebrant prayers
"Almighty God,
from the dust of the earth you have created us.
May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence,
and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen."
Then those who desire to receive ashes come forward and the ashes are applied to the forehead of each person as the celebrant says:
"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
After everyone who desires to receive the ashes has, the celebrant leads the congregation in the conclusion of the confession
"Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son, our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection."
Then the priest or bishop says,
"Almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen."
The peace is exchanged and the service continues with celebrating the eucharist.
The ashes imposed on people's foreheads on Ash Wednesday are a sign of our mortality and penitence. Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again because we are going to die as a result of our sin. As we "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return", we are humbled. We did not create our existence nor can we ensure its continuance forever. It is God's gracious gift that we have eternal life. It is all because of Jesus' suffering... humbling Himself and being "obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross" (Phil 2:8)... that we are forgiven, that our sin does not end up destroying us. It is because of Jesus' glorious resurrection, that we have true joy. Death and sin are conquered! We are dust.... and to dust we shall return... but that is not the end of the story.
As we approach our times of worship over this Holy Weekend, keep Ash Wednesday close in your minds and hearts. Facing our mortality and repenting of our sins is a great way to prepare to receive all that Jesus has done for us.
praying you have a Blessed Easter,
Tracy
(Note: the bold print is what the congregation says.)
The celebrant prayers
"Almighty God,
from the dust of the earth you have created us.
May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence,
and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen."
Then those who desire to receive ashes come forward and the ashes are applied to the forehead of each person as the celebrant says:
"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
After everyone who desires to receive the ashes has, the celebrant leads the congregation in the conclusion of the confession
"Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son, our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection."
Then the priest or bishop says,
"Almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen."
The peace is exchanged and the service continues with celebrating the eucharist.
The ashes imposed on people's foreheads on Ash Wednesday are a sign of our mortality and penitence. Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again because we are going to die as a result of our sin. As we "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return", we are humbled. We did not create our existence nor can we ensure its continuance forever. It is God's gracious gift that we have eternal life. It is all because of Jesus' suffering... humbling Himself and being "obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross" (Phil 2:8)... that we are forgiven, that our sin does not end up destroying us. It is because of Jesus' glorious resurrection, that we have true joy. Death and sin are conquered! We are dust.... and to dust we shall return... but that is not the end of the story.
As we approach our times of worship over this Holy Weekend, keep Ash Wednesday close in your minds and hearts. Facing our mortality and repenting of our sins is a great way to prepare to receive all that Jesus has done for us.
praying you have a Blessed Easter,
Tracy
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