Ash Wednesday Meditation

Pause & Reflect with me as we begin the Lenten Season:
Isaiah 61 says:  "He will 'bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.'"

As we mark the beginning of the Lenten Season  with Ash Wednesday, the marks symbolize the unseen wounds inside us. What sadness is lingering in you this season? Listen now.

Good morning. This is Chaplain Kevin. Would you pause with me and reflect as we begin this morning…

Today/This Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season; The 40 day period leading up to Easter. Lent begins with a holy day of prayer and fasting known as: Ash Wednesday.

What makes this day most memorable, is the ritual of receiving ashes on our forehead. Throughout scripture ashes are used in times of mourning which displays a person’s feeling of despair. The ashes one receives, serve as an external representation of their guilt as a way to manifest the deep sadness and unresolved pain that lingers within. This mark helps memorialize our sadness and aids the mission of our heart, mind and spirit to make more tangible the unseen wounds inside us. Our hope this Lenten season is that when our wounds become visible they are more likely to be healed. 

What sadness is lingering within you this season?

How will you turn to God for healing today?

Let’s pray: God, we thank you for this Lenten Season. We hear your call to turn back to you. Grant us healing for all our wounds today. And make us well-enough that we might be able to extend healing hands to others around us. We pray these things in your Name. Amen.