An Ash Wednesday prayer:
Lord,
The house of my soul is narrow;
enlarge it that you may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it!
It displeases Your sight.
I confess it, I know.
But who shall cleanse it,
to whom shall I cry but to you?
Cleanse me from my secret faults,
O Lord, and spare Your servant from strange sins.
St. Augustine of Hippo – (354-430 CE)
Christians all around the world commemorates Ash Wednesday today. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of 40 days (really 46 including Sundays) before Easter. It is a time of reflection upon our need for salvation, forgiveness, and the fundamental priorities of the Gospel.
It is customary for Christians to give something up for Lent. This act remembers Christ giving himself up and remembers his suffering. Many give up sweets, soda, or some type of rich food. While giving something up for Lent is a simple way to remember what Lent is all about, is it time we Christians try something other than deprivation?This year I encourage you to think about adding something for Lent in addition to or in place of giving something up. Tony Cartladge at Baptists Today encourages us:
I’ve tended to take a dual approach to Lent. Aware that Jesus not only gave up his life, but was constantly giving himself to others, I may still give up some favorite food or activity, but I also combine it with giving something. So, this year, I won’t be eating any sweets between meals (and maybe not even then), but I’ll also be looking for at least one random act of kindness to present itself each day, something I can do or give to make another’s life a little easier, a little happier.
Taking on something for Lent could look like praying the Lord’s prayer at noon each day, participating in a Bible study, or serving in a food pantry once a week. By adding something for Lent, we too join in the prayer of Augustine above:
The house of my soul is narrow;
enlarge it that you may enter in.
It is ruinous, O repair it!
Our souls are longing for connection to God. God can repair our lives and widen our souls through prayer, service, and acts of mercy. When we add something to our Lenten journey we are asking God to enter into our narrow hearts. May you on this Ash Wednesday receive ashes and the words, “You are dust and dust you return” to be renewed knowing that God is reaching out to us this season of Lent.
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