Today is Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of a season of the Christian Calendar called Lent. In Lent, we remember Jesus' journey towards The Cross - it's like an advent calendar for Easter. But instead of treats each day, we often deny ourselves something. It is a time of fasting and deep listening. A time of drilling down, as we approach the darkness and death of Good Friday, to ask ourselves what, this time around, must die. We also ask where we need new life. Where Resurrection will shine.
You can read the scriptures for Ash Wednesday on the Vanderbilt site, where you'll also find prayers and artwork tied to the current or upcoming holy day or Sunday. The image in this post comes from that site.
Find the Ash Wednesday materials at http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=23
This morning, considering the day, half reflecting and half fading back to sleep, I heard birds singing. Then I wrote this poem for Ash Wednesday.
ASH WEDNESDAY
I lie on the couch
as dead
When suddenly, outside
birds chirp a symphony
cheering me on towards morning
And all the strength I need
all the effort I could not muster
is laid upon my ears as the gift
of spring
And I arise
Spring is coming
behind a death
following a heavy burdened trudge
up the twisted hillside
the first tulips twitch to life
within their tombs
for death comes first
and we are all ashes
and dry bones
waiting to dance alive
waiting for the song of God