“….the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.”
Really hit me hard this year–anyone else notice them?
Striking words from the Ash Wednesday Liturgy
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“….the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.”
Really hit me hard this year–anyone else notice them?
I’m in. The past few months some areas of my life have suffered a few bumps and jolts. It clicked that maybe my pride and conceit were being pointed out to me and at the same time reminded of who is the true source of my blessings and my joy.
What struck me was, during the imposition of ashes, I traced the cross in ashes on the heads of four little boys on whom I marked the cross in the same spot with water when I baptized them. In past years I’ve thought about those heads I marked with ashes and subsequently marked with the cross in oil as I anointed their corpses. But there is as yet no single person on whose head I have signed the cross in all three.
Ian+: I’m curious to know what rite you use that still anoints a corpse?
Kendall,
I’m always very glad to come to that sentence every time the Invitation is given on Ash Wednesday. I have no doubt that at least one person listening to the descriptive words of the Invitation PRIOR to that sentence have just judged themselves as “notorious sinners” and welcoming/fearing (like who’s looking at them right at that moment) the disciplines of Lent. But the other 99% may be wondering what the heck they are doing there, not able to categorize themselves as such sinners. So when I get to that sentence I slow down, raise my voice a bit, and accentuate my articulation to make sure “all Christians” within earshot know 1) this Lenten tradition is valid for the whole Church, and 2) they (we) are in need, too, no matter the quality of our sins. We’re all in.
That seems to suggest I am totally cognizant of that sentence every Ash Wednesday prior to reading the Invitation. But I am not. So when I am reading the Invitation to a holy Lent, and describing the tradition, and what it was for, I am desperately wanting to say what that sentence you highlighted says. And then, there to my relief and hope, comes that sentence. Every time. Even three times in one day. Although by the third service I am well aware that sentence is coming, and I have to hold myself back to not speed through the descriptive material just to get to that sentence!
The hard part always in liturgical leadership, though, is to worship, and be inspired and motivated, and be reflective, while leading others to do the same.
May your “hit hard” moment lead you to a “productive” Lent!
הללויה
No. 3. I generally tend to do that as well. I just use the Anointing/Ministration at the Time of Death portion of the current 1979 BCP, which is very loose and vague on a number of issues of praxis. I through in the old 5-fold anointing Latin form during that.
The line that always gets me is “our failure to commend the faith that is in us”.
We’ve got it. We do not rely on it!
No. 3. I use the Canadian 1962 BCP. During the commendation the priest says, “Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world in the Name of God the Father who created thee, in the Name of God the Son who redeemed thee, and in the Name of God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth thee…,” while signing crosses with oil on the forehead, lips and chest respectively at each of the Names. I also use the St Augustine’s Prayer Book (Order of the Holy Cross), which has the same commendation, but also has the lovely lines about the angels coming out to greet the soul and the saints escorting it in.
Said it twice that day and then looked into the eyes of people whom I know have taken that call seriously. Glory to God.