As I write this our community at Holy Cross is gathering for the liturgical imposition of ashes. Our pastor will mark the forehead of each worshiper with black ashes in the shape of a cross. With each imposition, our pastor will say "Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shall return." And why am I not there instead of here? Not driving is such a confinement. One adjusts mentally when they know there is no sense in taking such chances on a whim. Pain requires a bit more medication than is good for operating machinery, as the label says. "No alcohol," either. So be it.
"Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life that you have prepared for me."
3 comments:
I missed this sombre service too, Willo. We have no pastor at this time, and although we were invited by the Roman Catholic priest ( a dear man) to go across the road to Our Lady of Lourdes for the Imposition of Ashes other commitments kept us from going, sadly.
I forgot to say thank you for the prayer, - I am making up the bulletins for next Sunday and would like to include it on the empty back page. It is so relevant to our lack of discipline.
I hope I was clear about the words being those of Henri Nouwen. I get a daily meditation from the good Canadian people that keep his work available.
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