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Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Journey Through Lent Scripture: Genesis 3:19b (NIV) – “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Message: Ash Wednesday announces the beginning of Lent and summons us to remember Jesus' journey to the cross and resurrection. It is called Ash Wednesday because ashes were used in ancient times to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. This day invites reflection, repentance, re‑dedication and marks the beginning of forty days of study, self-examination, sacrifice and prayer. In apostolic times, a period of preparation and fasting was observed before the festival of Easter which was also used as a time of Baptism. However, the formalization of the forty days of Lent was not instituted until the First Council of Nicea in 325 AD. In the early centuries fasting rules were strict, as they still are in the Eastern Orthodox Church. One meal a day was allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter were forbidden; some also restricted the use of wine, oil, and other dairy products. In the West fasting rules have gradually been relaxed; the strict law of fasting in the Roman Catholic Church ceased during World War II. Today, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are observed as fast days in many Christian traditions. The emphasis on penitential practice and almsgiving remains, as well as a focus on self-control, with many Christians choosing to give up specific pleasures during Lent as a reminder to refocus on spiritual matters. The Methodist church, where we worshipped in the UK, is part of the first UK ecumenical circuit embracing Methodist, Anglican (Episcopalian) and United Reform (Presbyterian and Congregational) churches. During Lent congregants are encouraged to join a weekly ecumenical home group study with a common theme, to gain a wider perspective from other Christians. Join Asbury Christians as we celebrate Christ’s life and be blessed as you journey through Lent with these powerful and uplifting devotionals, inspired and written by members and friends of Asbury United Methodist Church. Prayer: Father, Comforter, Creator, be with me as I enter this Holy Season and help me on my journey through Lent to prepare my heart, mind and body for the true meaning of Holy Week and the glory of the Risen Christ at Easter. Amen. David Vatcher, Editor - 2 of 2 |
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