At the centre of the circle sat a bowl of ash, next to it a lit candle and an open bible.
After a period of silence each person was invited to share what had come up for them in the stillness. One person motioned to the bowl of ash and frankly said: ‘Well I don’t like that.’
This reaction came as we shared in our first Highlands Cluster Lenten Study, to explore the wise, life giving book: ‘Practicing our Faith’ edited by Dorothy Bass.
Ash can be confronting. Especially if we have held the ashes of a loved one.
Ash is a powerful reminder that our lives here on earth are not infinite. We often do not wish to face this reality head on.
However, for those of us who have been confronted with the stark reality of death or great tragedy, in our own lives or in the lives a loved one, you may well have experienced how things can become crystal clear in this period. Amidst the grief, anxiety and fear absolute clarity can emerge about what is important in life and what is just trivia.
It often takes death to show us what real life is about. Sadly, over time this clarity can fade as life, with all its demands, intrudes.
During the Christian Season of Lent, which cycles around and leads us to Easter, ash is a powerful symbol that speaks of this season’s deep invitation to face again the reality that our lives here will end. And to take some time to think deeply and pray openly about what is actually important in our living here and now; for us, for others, and in our relationship with the Holy One.
Rather than Lent being about simply giving up some food source, in this slowing down, sacred space, we are invited to wake up and reflect on what life is really about.
If you would like to take up the authentic invitation of this season, some questions to ponder might include: What is pulling at your time? What choices are you making? Who is benefiting from your choices and who is losing? What is giving you life and what is sapping your energy? Are you making choices or are you letting things happen to you? How are you giving and how are you receiving? How are you really traveling within, and what new life might the Divine - who breaks into our lives in Jesus - be calling you to?
In this season of Lent may there be space for you; for reflection, communing with God and sharing with others about these deepest of things.
There will be Cluster Worship for the first Sunday in Lent
Ballan Uniting Church
Sunday 21st February
10:30 am
All are very welcome- whether you are a regular church goer
or you haven’t been in ages, or ever.
The worship will be followed by a simple shared lunch - please do not bring any food it will be provided.
Blessings on your journey.
Rev. Sally Douglas
