Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Paul’s ministry of reconciliation fits well with the meaning of our Ash Wednesday celebration and the beginning of our Lenten journey. His plea for the church in Corinth to be reconciled with God begins a few verses back (2 Corinthians 5:11) and has as one of its highlights the declaration that in Christ there is a new creature or creation (verse 17). Paul then moves to acknowledge that such a process of reconciliation begins with the will of God – as a gift perhaps – and is completed upon our return to him, not in existence yet to come, but by becoming ambassadors, representatives, witnesses, to God reconciling act here (18-20a). In other words, returning to the gracious and loving God results in us being sent on a mission to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ, the righteousness of God (20b-21). When we remember that we came from dust and to dust we shall return, we remember the gracious, loving, and forgiving God (Joel 2:17) who created, protected, and provided for us with a holy purpose.
In Matthew’s gospel for today, perhaps prayer and a deeper connection with God – which the ancients believed would happen through fasting – would help us realize what such purpose is and where our hearts should be.
In Psalm 51, David relates such an experience to us. In a moment of profound intimacy with God, he becomes aware that much dust and dirt has clung to him and pleads to God for forgiveness and a clean heart set into the path of righteousness.
Bridging Faith 