Ash Wednesday comes round again, with the significant shift in mood, and we do the rounds today of the villages with quiet Communion and ashes signed on foreheads in the sign of the cross.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Morning Prayer readings today included a line from 1 Timothy that I had not been aware of, despite its resonance with our contemporary situation.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment". (1 Timothy 6:17).
Turn away from your sin and be faithful to Christ.
The themes for Lent this year which have been coming into focus in my mind are the twin challenges of moving on and growing up. I recall moments in my teens when the prospect of a mortgage and no more long summer holidays dawned on me and I wanted with all my being NOT to have to take on new responsibilities. I wanted to put time on hold and stay in a place where other people made decisions for me and bore the responsibility of it all. I think there is a good reason why we can't stop the clocks in this way - it would not be good for us. Moving on, in our current situations, means letting go of the past and facing up to today's decisions. Growing up means being willing to start to bear more responsibility for ourselves. I don't mean those to be read without reference to the most important element in these equations; God's immeasurable love for us. I can think of no better starting point...
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