Rend your hearts and not your garments

[tree_and_leaf]

It's still (just) Ash Wednesday, a day I always find curiously moving, largely because of the ceremony of the imposition of ashes, where one kneels at the altar, waiting to have the sign of the cross drawn on the forehead and the words 'remember that dust you are and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ'

It probably sounds insane to say that I find it comforting, but I do, in a counter-intuitive sort of way. There's a seriousness and honesty to it, it's grounded in a way in which life so often is not. Though I don't think I would be quite so keen on it if it wasn't combined with a Eucharist. Reassurance of God's love ought to follow penitence, otherwise it can just go sour. But in acknowledging our faults, and our utter dependence on God to do any good, we can be brought to open ourselves more deeply to Him.

For some reason I find myself thinking of the Larkin line, 'A serious house on serious earth this is.' And though 'Churchgoing' shows clearly that Larkin thought religion was on the way out, and was an agnostic himself, it does speak of one of the virtues of right religion (though not what any believer would think the central one...)

Comments

[sammee42.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, Jo, Ash Wednesday is very comforting. I agree with you, it's because it reminds me in a very vivid way how dependent I am on God. 'Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.'

For this reason, I enjoy the Lenten season very much. Especially since last year and I've begun observing Lent through the Anglican traditions. It is sad that so many American Evangelicals have no appreciation for the beauty of the Church Year and how much it aids one's spiritual life.

Also, I just wanted to ask you when you'd be free between Friday of 8th week and Wednesday of 9th week, which are is the time I will be in Oxford. I'd love to see you. :)