‘Rend Your Hearts and not Your 

Garments’

Book of the Prophet Joel  2:12-18

Ash Wednesday calls us home once again. Sealed again in ashes with the Cross of Jesus Christ we remember that we are human and not divine.We are weak and tempted; chosen and sent forth. Throughout the 40 Days of Lent we will practice Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving. 

Signed with the sign of the cross from the burnt palms of last year’s   Palm Sunday, the minister of the ashes reminds us to ‘repent and believe in the Gospel’.  

The challenge throughout Lent is that of fasting, prayer and

almsgiving, the three traditional Lenten practices.

Fasting Our thirst and hunger for God 

Prayer A contemplative gaze of Jesus’ Way

Alms-Giving Sharing our abundance with others

May God fill our hearts with the love that bears all things,

believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things,

Through Christ our companion on the journey.  AMEN.

I will take your heart of stone and place a heart 

within you of compassion and love.

Litany for Ash Wednesday

Oh God, 

We are reminded this day of the fragility of our lives here on the earth.

We are dust and to dust we will return.

It is by your Spirit and your power that we are given life.

You are the source of all hope and life.

We enter now a season of repentance.

That we may turn from selfishness.

We set aside some comforts

That we may turn our attention to Your holiness.

Cast now our transgressions far from us

As far is the east is from the west.

We mourn the profound disconnection from You 

that happened at the dawn of humankind.

Bring us back into Your presence.

We rejoice in the perfect work of Christ on earth.

Christ reconciles us to You.

Prepare our hearts, Oh God, for Resurrection life.

You bring beauty from ashes.

Prepare our hearts for the joy of Your coming.

You bring gladness from mourning.

Prepare our hearts for the fullness of Your presence.

You bring forth praise from despair. Amen

‘Take These Ashes’ by Sarah Hart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1F9nx0mhyA