Lent, perhaps my favorite season in the Cristian year, a
time for reflection, sacrifice and service. One last push before the return of
our Invincible Sun, the birth of Ostara, and the other archetypes of spring, but
before we can get there, we must first purify. Suffering is called for, not
simply giving up sweets or the impossible task of surrendering coffee, but a
willful self-sacrifice to get a person and their family though the lean times
of the long dark purifying winter. February may be the ugliest time of the year,
scant traces of snow, copious amounts of mud, and a wet-cold that settles into
the bones. It is not just a time of self-sacrifice, but also giving of alms,
talking on extra service and all the while doing it for the sake of the service
itself, it is not simply to feed the ego by demonstrating piety to neighbors. While
the ashes are applied they are soon washed away, no sackcloth is worn, no
rending of the hair, sacrifice for its own sake, and quite heartfelt prayers to
our Redeemer who we have not loved with our whole hearts and service to our
neighbors who we have not loved as ourselves. 40 days to learn and perfect new habits, 40
days to become a better man, 40 days to reset the clock.
The Third Day of Lent ~ Prayer of Contrition
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all
things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and
wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought,
word, and deed, Against Thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly Thy wrath and
indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for
these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of
them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful
Father; For Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past;
And grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please Thee In newness of life,
To the honour and glory of Thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ Book of Common Prayer 1928
~ Book of Common Prayer 1928
