Observing a Holy Lent: Ash Wednesday 2012

As we prepare to inaugurate a new website at Trinity, part of my Lenten discipline will be to share a daily reflection in this space -- either one of my own or sharing the reflections of another. Today I wish to share with you, for Ash Wednesday, an opening reflection from The Rev. Michael Battle, who is preparing them for the CREDO organization. Here is Michael's reflection:


February 22, 2012 Ash Wednesday

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray . . . so that they may be seen by others. —Matthew 6:5.

Jesus does not intend for us to use Ash Wednesday to give up chocolate. Jesus has a deeper intention as the following story illustrates.

While teaching his students, a Rabbi asked, “What is the difference between night and day?”
The students in their pride tried to give their best existential reasoning, “Is it the difference between a cloned sheep and a natural one? Between a boat and a car? All of their reasoning was wrong. Fed up with being wrong, the students asked, “Then what is the difference?”
The Rabbi answered, “When you look in the face of another person and do not see your sister or brother.”

For us in Lent, the answer goes even deeper. It is when we look in the face of God through Jesus’ sufferings, and do not see the extent of God’s love (indeed, God’s passion).

Let us pray, 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.

Question for Reflection: Where -- and when -- am I best able to see the face of God?