I did not grow up in, nor do I worship in a liturgical church. However, there are some things in "mainline" traditions that those of us in "evangelical" churches sometimes miss.
The Collect (prayer) for Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer says:
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 wretchedness, 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.
If you hang around the Church long enough, you'll find that most critics have one of two problems with it. Either "there's too much grace" or "there's too much judgment." What I love about this prayer is that it embraces that tension:
It has too much grace – "you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent... the God of all mercy..." and it has too much judgment – "worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness."
And so does God.
Ash Wednesday is about new beginnings. It is about repentance (literally "changing direction"). It is about re-turning to God that offers forgiveness and away from the separation leads to sin and death. It is judgmental to say "we all fall short of the glory of God." It is grace to say "God desires not the death of sinners." And it is exactly what the Church ought to be saying.
Ash Wednesday is a reminder to worship; to worthily lament our sins; to bask in God's grace. Grant us "perfect remission and forgiveness," Oh Lord, over and over again.
During Lent this year, I will be publishing a brief reflection / note / thought almost every day.
You can find them at occweb.org/news/pastor blog
Today is Mardi Gras. Also know as Fat Tuesday. Or Shrove Tusday. Or Pancake Day in our house.
It is interesting how many festivals there are around the world leading up to this day, even when there is no apparent connection to the original tradition.
There is a dangerous spirit that underlies all this. And while it works year round, it is especially obvious at this time of year and in places like New Orleans, USA, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The delusion promises that whatever sins committed during Mardi Gras can be atoned for during the 40 days of Lent that follow. But the reality is that the shame and condemnation from Mardi Gras prevent people from entering into true of fasting and repentance during Lent. It's similar to the sin of Esau when he sold his birthright for that brief moment of indulgence of his appetite. There is a recklessness, a "devil-may-care" approach to life during Mardi Gras. The spirit of Lust, of presumptious sin captures many people.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. [Psalm 19:13]
It's a good time to watch our own hearts and intercede for others around us.
Pickle Barrel is one of the places we like to eat at. The trouble with Pickle Barrel is the size of the menu - it's a thick as a bridal magazine - with choice upon choice.
Jesus doesn't offer us a menu for life. He doesn't offer a range of spiritual options. He doesn't say select your favourite from this list. And yet, isn't that what many people do. We want to select from a spiritual menu. We want God on our terms and inside our comfort zones. We will follow Him as long as we can determine the way, the direction and the sacrifices.
God is not out to spoil your fun. His way is full of joy. He leads us on a journey full of life. But we are always followers. We don’t take the lead. That’s why we don’t have the option of deciding when we want to pray and when we don’t; when we want to worship and when we'd rather not; or when we want to care about others and when we want to be rude. We are called to serve God full-time - to be his disciples. Check out Luke 17:7-10.