Ash Wednesday

Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sanctify a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
gather the people.
Sanctify the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her canopy.

Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
“Where is their God?” ’

Then the Lord became jealous for his land,
and had pity on his people.

Joel 2:12-18

Once again, Lent begins. It is a time of year that I both dread and look forward to. I fear that I won't be able to keep my disciplines (though it never turns out to be that hard.) But I welcome a more solemn and more reflective spirituality. Lent seems to be the one time I can peer inside and gain real insight about myself. When I come out of it the other end, at Easter - I always feel truly renewed. This is a kind of ressurection, too - a shadow and foretaste of our hopes.

For anyone who may be reading and observes, may this time be a blessing for you, and may your journey to Easter be a fulfilling and happy one.