Renew Your Mind

Jesus began his public ministry by withdrawing for 40 days to the wilderness- the reason why the season of Lent lasts for 40 days. The gospels record how he met the devil there, and was tempted to achieve his purpose by unholy means. Making space to examine our lives and our motives, to face our temptations, may not be a pleasant or easy task, but it is a necessary one. Socrates said 'The unexamined life is not worth living', and the current interest in Mindfulness seems to be saying the same thing. So Lent begins with time for self-examination. Traditionally, both Catholic and Protestant churches have held services today where those present are signed with ash. This imagery of fire burning up all that is impure to leave behind what is holy is an symbol of hope, of something beautiful rising from the ashes. The crucible for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.    Proverbs 17:3 An Ash Wednesday prayer from the Church of England: ...

Lent's journey begins today in ashes. Ashes are traditionally a sign of mourning and penitence. The Prayer Books urges us to "worthily lament our sins". But how often do we start a journey like this? Usually our journeys begin full of optimism. We live in a culture which believes in success, and if we experience failure we immediately look around us for someone to blame. Our parents; the government; others' stupidity, greed or ignorance. Looking at ourselves instead of at others could be difficult, alerting us to things about ourselves we'd rather ignore. So we avoid it.....rushing to get on with the next part of the journey. Ash Wednesday tells us that there is a time for self-reflection, and that time might just be today. 'My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.'  Psalm 51:17