Sermon; Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday. The day we fast, pray, confess, and begin whatever discipline we have chosen to adopt. As we begin this solemn season, I want to point out two things.

The first is to notice what Jesus says about giving alms, praying, and fasting. He doesn't say IF you do those things. He doesn't say, “If you feel called” to do those things. He says, “When you give alms,” and, “When you pray,” and, “When you fast” There is an understanding there that these things are not optional. There is an understanding that these things are not reliant on being called to do them. There is an understanding that these are things which faithful people engage in on a regular basis because they are faithful people.

WHEN you give alms, WHEN you pray, WHEN you fast are not conditions of being a people of God, but are results of being a people of God. Following Christ isn't something we do because it's convenient or expedient or casual or whatever other descriptor you want to use. Following Christ should change us to our core. As being the salt of the earth and a light to the nations is a function of our faith, so is giving, praying, and fasting on a regular basis.

So WHEN you do these things, do them not for worldly attention but because they are ways to strengthen your relationship with God.

Which then leads to the next thing. If we are not supposed to “disfigure our faces,” or let others know when we are praying, what's the deal with the ashes on our foreheads? Because that clearly disfigures our faces and lets people know we have been praying in church.

The reason for the ash cross isn't to show other people how pious you are for attending church on a Wednesday. The reason for the ash cross is to both serve as an outward and visible sign of the cross with which you were sealed at your baptism and to remind you of your own mortality.

At your baptism you were sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own for ever with special oil blessed by the bishop. On Ash Wednesday you are marked with the sign of the cross as a visible reminder of your baptism.

But these ashes also remind us that we are but dust, and to dust we shall return. These ashes remind us of our mortality. They remind us that just because we belong to Christ doesn't mean we are exempt from difficulties, pain, or death.

But there's good news. The good news is that Christ has destroyed death. The good news is that death doesn't have the last word. The good news is that even though we die, we will not die for ever. The good news is that even though we die, there is resurrection.

Today is Ash Wednesday. When you leave this place go forth knowing that you are mortal. Go forth knowing that you have been marked as Christ's own for ever. And go forth giving, praying, and fasting for the Church and as a way to strengthen your relationship with God.

Amen.