Remember that you are dust . . .

The Revd Deacon Polly M. Bowen

One snowy evening shortly before Lent, the EFM students did a theological reflection exercise,* choosing as their topic the Invitation to a Holy Lent found on page 264 of the Book of Common Prayer.

This invitation is read at the Ash Wednesday services, and as Deacon it has often been my privilege to read it to the congregation.  I have always read it carefully and prayerfully, but this group reflection added some new insights for me, and I would like to share them with you.

The Exhortation consists of two short paragraphs.  The first one is a brief history lesson, explaining what Lent is all about and how the first (and later) Christians prepared for it.  The second paragraph is an invitation to those present to make the coming season of Lent a holy time by their own chosen observances, and to make a “right beginning” by kneeling before the Lord.

We began by hearing the passage read aloud twice, separated by a few minutes of silence while we contemplated what we had heard.  After the second reading each person in the group identified a word or phrase that stood out for them.  A third reading introduced a longer time of contemplation, or resting in God and allowing God’s Word to speak to us.  Following this came a time for pondering, as we discussed the various words we had chosen, considering them from the perspectives of tradition, personal experience and culture.

Some were struck by their own sinfulness and the joy of reconciliation; others by the continuity of current practice with that of the early church; still others with the perceived “shallowness” of their childhood practices (shallow, perhaps, but good beginnings nonetheless) compared with the sincerity with which they now approach Lent.  Several people commented on the practice of fasting, and how they intend this year to fast from all sorts of bad habits that have crept into their daily lives, realizing that fasting does not necessarily involve food!  My own revelation was in the words “in the name of the Church” which spoke to me of how much my personal relationship with God depends upon my corporate relationship with others (and vice versa, of course.)  I was also awed by the reminder of the solemnity of my Diaconal Orders, and what a great gift and responsibility it is for me to be allowed to speak “in the name of the Church” to the People of God among whom I am privileged to serve.  

We finished our reflection by articulating some implications for action that came to us as a result of our discussion, and along with the various urges peculiar to my personal prayers and religious observances, I am moved to invite you, my brother or sister, to participate with us in whatever way God stirs your heart.

Whatever your situation and wherever you are in your journey to and with God, I invite you to the observance of a holy Lent.  If you are a member of this church or if you are a visitor, or if you are reading this because someone gave it to you or because you found it lying around somewhere, you are this day a part of our family for as long as you choose, and we welcome you.  I pray that this year’s season of Lent will bring you closer to God.  If you choose to join us for worship and you wish to be strengthened by the Presence of Christ in the Sacrament, please know that you are welcome at our altar.  Receive the bread and wine made holy by the grace and love of God, and know that you are a holy child of God, and you are loved. 

Dear People of God:  The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them b y a season of penitence and fasting.  This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism.  It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church.  Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.  And to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.

--Book of Common Prayer, page 264

*We used a theological reflection method adapted from the Lectio Divina method of prayer/study.  This reflection method was developed by Louise Pettigrew for the Education for Ministry Program at the University of the South School of Theology.