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Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent that leads us to Easter. There is something incredibly sacred happening for me when I take the ashes, speak the words, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, repent and believe the Gospel,” and make the sign of the cross on another person. It is a tremendous honor for people, from a sweet toddler in her father’s arms to a nonagenarian, standing before me and giving me that privilege. Brian sang a song by Needtobreathe with these lyrics:
There's a host of hurts we come across
None of which are alike,
from the air inside the birthing room to the darkness where we die.
Though I feel I'm just as strong as any man I know, I'm not able on my own.
This morning, I’ve been thinking. About the horror of another mass shooting in Kansas City. About the people in Israel/Palestine. About the ongoing war in Ukraine. And about last night. Thinking about how we are called to hold the tension of the reality of the world with the hope of Jesus Christ. How despite the evil around us and the sorrow that produces we can embrace the fact that death does not have the final word, there is always a resurrection. Repent AND believe the gospel.
Throughout the season of Lent we will be sharing stories of people encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ. They are stories of, how when it seemed all was lost, when expectations were dashed, the Son of God comes bringing life now and life everlasting. I don’t want to wait until Easter to preach about an empty tomb. Let’s start now. I hope you will join us.
Blessings,
Lori
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