The Penitence of Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 -- Ash Wednesday

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 951)
Psalms 95* & 32, 143 (morning) 102, 130 (evening)
Amos 5:6-15
Hebrews 12:1-14
Luke 18:9-14
* for the Invitatory


"Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sin is put away!"

These are the words from the psalmist to open our readings today. It is a good day. A day of penitence, when sin is put away.

"I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to God.' Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin." (Ps. 32:6) Our gospel story gives us a picture of one who knows his weakness, failure and brokenness. "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" says the tax collector, standing by himself in alienation in the holy temple. He will leave that place and return to the same corrupt work tomorrow that is his guilty burden today. Yet, Jesus tells his listeners that this tax collector "went down to his home justified." He was restored to a right relationship to God, whether he realized it or not.

During our worship today, we will pray one of our tradition's most powerful compositions of self-knowledge and confession, the Litany of Penitence (Prayer Book, p. 267). No one can read these words consciously and not be struck to the heart. "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" "Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sin is put away!"

The Pharisee of our gospel reading is a man who has given his life to God, in discipline and thanksgiving. He prays gratefully that he has found this way of virtue and good living. But his pride blocks him from the justification he assumes. When he looks at others and compares himself, he breaks the seamless garment that is God's relationship and presence with all humanity.

Amos also reminds us of the corporate aspect of our call. We are not called simply to avoid sin and be individuals of high morals. We are called to pursue justice as a society and nation, to "establish justice in the gate." Amos decries the nation for being unresponsive to the needs of the poor while the wealthy live in ease. He condemns the bribes that the powerful use to advance their interests while the needy are ignored. Imagine what he would say to our system of lobbying and influence peddling. These are sins that he insists we address before the Lord can possibly "be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."

Ash Wednesday is a day when we are called to a solemn fast. We are to look at ourselves with conscious penitence. We are to confess and to know our forgiveness. We are to take responsibility for our corporate brokenness and injustice. And we are to commit our selves to a new way, the disciplines of individual goodness and corporate reform.

Hebrews seeks to inspire us in that discipline. "Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet... Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

We begin this day like the tax collector, seeking God's mercy. Happily we embrace Lent's call to discipline -- to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These are the tools that the Church commends to us for the healing of our souls and of the world's injustice.

"Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sin is put away!"

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas