February 10, 2015
Lent begins today. As one writer said, “impossibly early!”
I’d like to send you short meditations each day through Lent and the first week of Easter. They will be based on scripture texts from the Lectionary used on that day in Roman Catholic churches and other churches throughout the world.
If your email life is full enough, please just let me know and I’ll take you off the mailing list. The daily devotions are also available and archived each day on the internet at the following web addresses:
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/devotions
http://www.davesandel.net/category/lent-easter-devotions-2015/ (this is a WordPress blog page with lots of other resources on it as well)
You can “follow” the wordpress blog by going to that site and clicking the “Follow” button on the right. It will ask you for your email address and then send you a copy of the devotion every day, as well as anything else that is posted there …
God bless you,
Dave
Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Reaching for the stars
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Ash Wednesday
Psalm 51:3, 7, 12
I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me … Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow … restore unto me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit.
I have been reading about the days before death. We lose control of our bodies, yes, but even more we lose control of being in control. Grant me a willing spirit, O Lord.
I choose to breathe, but nothing happens. Panic ensues. This is not OK. But the panic changes nothing. I’m not in charge anymore. When Breath Becomes Air, what a marvelous book just now published. Its truth touches the experience we all will have.
What comes after the panic? Surrender. Sometimes called “sweet surrender.” And what comes after that? The joy of my salvation.
From what I can tell from reading (before my own experience), these things are like dominos and they will happen to us all.
Today we put our ashes on. Today we set out on the 40-day journey through Lent. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today.
For tomorrow I die.
Grant me a willing spirit, O Lord. Let me participate in my own paschal mystery and carry my own cross, and keep my eyes open. Break bondages in my mind and body, and help me point my eyes toward where your light shines. Morning has broken.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1433
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