Lent Day 1, Ash Wednesday
February 18
by Michael Lovett
Readings:
Reflection:
Watch this devotional as a video if you like.
First, let's start with the ash. What's that all about? Thanks to AI, I got a few brief insights, and I'd recommend you also do some research. All of these traditions have logical roots, and it's easy to mock them or feel uncomfortable, but I implore you to dive in and learn if you don't know (or don't remember, like me)
Secondly, today is a bit long, but most posts will be about half as long, today is about starting well. Thanks for joining us!
The Meaning of the Ashes
The most visible part of the day is the smudging of black ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead. This symbol carries two main meanings:
Humility and Mortality: Traditionally, the person applying the ashes says, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." It’s a sobering reminder that life is fragile and that we are not the "center of the universe."
Repentance: In ancient times, sitting in ashes was a public sign of sorrow for one's mistakes. Today, the cross of ash represents a desire to "clean house" spiritually.
I want to restate: Despite building and offering web content based on wisdom and contentment, I have no corner on the market of wisdom, and I do think I've grown in contentment lately, thus the bursts of creativity. Thank you for joining me, and I strive to humbly share what I've learned, think, or experienced in an area of wisdom or contentment. Please comment on how this is all resonating with you.
Look at the language in Joel--The call is to return to God as a community. "We" is greater than "I", and that is a whole other podcast. The point is that we, in our spiritual communities, must hold space for sobriety, confession, repentance, and return. Yes, we should really deeply consider our need to fast, to soberly estimate our impact on others that isn't godly or kind.
Also, who is God in this passage? "...Gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love." That is the God we repent towards and return to. So often, repentance, weeping over sins committed, and confession get a bad rap. That is because it is hard... but also when we focus on how hard or awkward confession is, we center the ego, rather than a good Father who gives good gifts (like repentance!).
What is our part? Repentance is like sore muscles after a workout. It's a sign we are growing and doing the work. Our part is to respond to the good and true and beautiful--in our consciences and in God's character. This requires us to take time and take stock of where we have been, who we have been, and what we have done (the good, bad, and ugly). We need to suffer the pain of coming clean because it's better than silent solo suffering or being oblivious and unbothered by our impact on others.
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus's message is another downshift and call to sobriety. Jesus is clear about our target: To not be the kind of person who has to announce or draw attention to ourselves. Jesus deliberately exaggerates to make an impression. It was never a thing to blow a trumpet when giving in Jesus' day, but he's using a word image to show how totally obnoxious it is to make a show of giving our gifts to God (from whom it all came anyway!)
Jesus elaborates and reminds his listeners. God sees all, including what is done in "secret". Secrets are not a thing with God. Jesus is offering this right in the center of his cornerstone sermon, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 through 7). Jesus could not be clearer--our spirituality is seen in what we do, who we show our hearts to, and our hearts long for attention. God has given us more attention and regard than any human can, so knowing this, we can be formed as followers of Jesus. We DO righteousness, we don't show it off. Let us embody a sober life of devotion to God that has less and less need to be seen or hidden. Let us simply (and without apology) love others because they are God's children. Not for brownie points, kudos, or attention/people pleasing.
The world needs love, not spiritual show-offs or hermits. Let us pray in our rooms today and go into the world ready to look people in the eye with great love (and then come home, go back in our room, and pray for them).
Song
Dust We Are and Shall Return, The Brilliance on Apple Music
Content for wisdom and contentment at: urenuf.life
Link to song on Spotify: Dust We Are and Shall Return
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