Ash Wednesday
Imagine the most incredible invitation you could ever receive. Take a moment and imagine what that might be for you. The most incredible invitation . . . Some of the world’s amazing invitations include things like attending a Royal Wedding, induction into the Hall of Fame for your given profession, attending the Academy Awards, consideration for a Nobel Prize, performing at the half time show of the Super Bowl, receiving a full-ride scholarship to a prestigious university, receiving an all-expense paid luxury vacation, the list goes on . . . it struck me today that Lent is one of the most incredible invitations a person can receive. God invites you; God invites me, God invites us together to embark on the journey of a lifetime! God invites us to a unique opportunity to shed the things that hold us back, to become reconciled with God, to grow in intimacy with God, and to become more like Christ. You may have a particular attitude and approach toward Lent each year, but this year I invite you to enter into Lent as if it were the first time. Accept this invitation of a lifetime with a fresh and generous YES and allow the wonder of endless possibilities for growth to overwhelm you. Let’s throw wide open the doors of our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to receive all that God has for us this Lent.
In our second reading, St Paul makes an impassioned plea, saying, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” This reading concludes with these inviting words, “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” I pray your heart leaps like mine does at this opportunity. You’ll never receive a more important invitation in your life. Be reconciled to God; do it now! We have this gracious opportunity because of the most incredible, unimaginable exchange. Paul makes it so clear – “For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” Christ takes our sin and gives us his righteousness. That truth is almost too wondrous to take in! There is absolutely nothing standing in the way, not a thing! All it takes is our YES to God’s invitation in Christ. This Lent let us give all our sin to Christ and receive his righteousness. I pray that by Easter Sunday you and I look much less like ourselves and much more like Christ because of our willingness to accept this gracious invitation.
The prophet Joel tells us, “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart . . . Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God.” Whatever our Lenten practices – giving up sweets, fasting in particular ways, almsgiving, prayer, scripture reading, other spiritual disciplines – may those activities not be merely a “rending of our garments,” outward religious practices, but may they be deep and meaningful avenues into our hearts. If we’re not intentional and surrendered, our Lenten practices could be rigorous but far from transformative. Let us enter into our spiritual disciplines with a deep spiritual hunger and a yearning to be transformed. Through the prophet Joel, God called the people to a fast of such vital importance that even a bride and groom were to leave their wedding preparations. Let us approach this Lent as if it is the most important thing in our lives. Let us let go of anything that presents itself as a priority above our journey toward the Cross. I believe that’s part of what it means to be reconciled to God.
During the coming 40 days, let us seek to become the righteousness of God in ever-increasing measure. Let us run without hindrance to our God who is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” Let us marvel at this wondrous invitation to a journey of a lifetime and give our generous YES to all that God has in store for us. Friends, may you have a truly surrendered, meaningful, impactful, and transformative Lent. Amen!
Elizabeth Wourms