Rend your heart, not your garments

This year we changed Ash Wednesday liturgy a bit.  Instead of imposing the Ashes on the forehead at the end of the service, I made the sign of the cross in ash on the worshiper before communion.  This is a return to how most in the Anglican tradition practice the imposition of ashes.

Humorously, I’ve been told the main reason for this switch from tradition years ago was very pragmatic…The workers at the Renaissance Center would just “get their ashes and run” so we held them to the end!  Smart.

There is a symbolism, however, that is very important when we take communion AFTER receiving the ashen cross on our head.  When we receive the body and blood of Christ with the mark of our humanity still blackened for all to see, it is a very visual reminder of what is our redemption: Christ’s sacrifice, not ours.

Joel 2:12-13 says

“Return to me with all your heart,

with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

The effectual work of repentance isn’t done in our sacrifice, or the rending of garments,  but in the cross.  The rending of our hearts are a natural response of repentance to perfect love.  The outward signs of repentance – fasting, ash, weeping, etc,  is out of thankful response to redemption provided through the love of the Father, Son, and HS.

So this Lent I encourage you to “give something up”.  You might fast, pray, limit social media, or sugar, or sweets, or whatever God leads you towards. But do this not as an act of redeeming yourself through sacrifice, but as an act of love. Do it so your heart would be untangled by the things of the world and leave room for your heart to be in interwoven with the God who loves you and has given Himself for your redemption.

As I said Wednesday night, when I went home and washed the ash off my head this week, I remembered that it is not the sacrifice that is seen by others, or even by the Lord, that has redeemed me. The redemption has already been accomplished in Christ.  So we wash off the ash with joy and thanksgiving; Wash it off with clarity of where your salvation comes from.

But then remember that we are in a season of repentance and contemplation.  Ask the Lord where your love is lacking for Him.  Ask him where can my heart be emptied of itself and filled with you that I might love you more fully.

I hope to see many of you online or in person during our Lenten Study starting this Wednesday, March 12 from 6:30-7:30.  If you can’t make it to the church building, there will be a zoom link for you to participate online if you would like.  Reply to this email and I’ll send you the link!

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd