Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. – The Book of Common Prayer

The Ash Wednesday service is one of the only times year that we seriously and methodically focus upon the frailty of the human condition. We are reminded through prayers and scripture readings that we are sinful creatures in need of salvation. Through the imposition of the ash we are reminded just how fragile life is: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The above prayer that opens the Episcopal Ash Wednesday service is a wonderful and humbling way to begin Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. From the outset we are reminded that God is merciful. We confess that we are wicked sinful creatures and need to obtain forgiveness from God. We also acknowledge that it is only through God that we can change from a life of sinfulness to a life of righteousness.

As we journey through this season of fasting and prayer keep the above prayer in your heart. Keep it as a reminder of the reason we are fasting: “That we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness.” Remember the words of hope it brings: “Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.“ And also, remember the final destination of this season of fasting and prayer: Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, whose death and resurrection paved the way for us to be forgiven.