A short reading and prayer for today
On Ash Wednesday this week, T.S. Eliot’s poem on “Ash Wednesday” was to the fore in several articles. This particular poem indicated Eliot’s move from being a sceptical unbeliever to a believer in Christ.
“And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain”
What a prayer – to escape from, or at least momentarily silence the solipsistic echo chambers of our own minds. To be delivered from self, to be set free in the world around us, to live each day, even as we are dying.
For we are all dying: that is the central message of Ash Wednesday. From dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return. Those words and the imposed ashes are especially jarring when addressed to a 2 -year old.
Jarring, but true nonetheless. As the psalmist says, “For he himself knows whereof we are made; he remembers that we are but dust. Our days are like the grass; we flourish like a flower of the field; When the wind goes over it, it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.” (Psalm 103:14-16)
And pray to God to have mercy on us. More prayer to God and less too much discuss and too much explain in one’s own head!
Prayer
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Ash Wednesday – BCP)