Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return...

Ash Wednesday.  A day to remember our mortality -- that we are human; that we are sinners in need of repentance; that we will die.  Sounds depressing.  Sounds morbid. Sounds awful!!

But no.  It is because of Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection that all this is changed.  "But thanks be to God!! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).  His grace appropriated to us by our faith (Ephesians 2:8,9) changes everything!

Let us approach this day with openness to hear from God about the impurities in our lives -- where we need to repent, where we need to allow Him to work on us and in us and through us, and where we need to humble our hearts before Him.

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, forever and forever. Amen.

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