By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
8“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
pistle: Romans 10:8b-13
From Dust You shall return: Repent!
“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” With this exhortation, the holy season of Lent begins during the imposition of last Wednesday – Ash Wednesday in the Christian church calendar. The priest utters this reminder while imposing ashes in the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the faithful. It is but fitting words and rite to begin the observance of the Lenten season. This season is a season of penitence, abstinence, and a more purposeful devotion and 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.” Thus goes the Collect prayer for Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. I am very sure that the same tenor is with other Christian churches that observes this episode in the life cycle of the church. This prayer encapsulates the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent that it prepares.
***
While our human nature seeks and loves to dwell on the happy and easy sides of life, God’s way for us is of balance. This means, that He wants us to be reminded of our human-ness, our true nature. God wants to put us to where we really belong: that we are fallen creatures needing to be saved even as we aspire for the best we think is.
***
The imposition of ashes in Ash Wednesday is a very appropriate reminder of this wretched human condition: that we have “fallen short to the glory of God”. And that we can do nothing to alleviate this situation if we do not humbly submit and return to our God by admission of guilt, continual repentance and faith. Easy said than done but is a daily call which is underscored this Lenten Season.
***
Repentance. I believe that this is the key to understanding and internalizing the message and meaning of Ash Wednesday and Lent. This reminds me of what I wrote many years ago about repentance relative to the “GARCI tape” hullabaloo (remember this political scandal during Gloria Arroyo’s administration?) The admission of guilt is clear when the president said “I am sorry” because of “lapse of judgment”. As per the culpability of parties involved on this anomaly, the Filipino people except of a few have already made their verdict. Yet, as of this time nobody is convicted on that irregularity which we call “cheating”. This may be a timely reminder since election is two months away. Let us look deep and serious to the backgrounds of those vying for a position this coming mid-term election. Of past deeds they have committed which need reparation and repentance from these candidates and for us to base our decisions and choice come election time.
***
Repentance does not end by saying SORRY to whatever sin or wrong doings committed. I also wrote back then about the same topic, “repentance- in the Biblical sense is more than having a change of heart or a feeling of regret. It is more than a new Year’s resolution to do better. Repentance is a turning away and a turning back. A turning away from sin and turning back to God.” There is no glorious resurrection without the agony of the crucifixion. We can not receive forgiveness if we do not repent from our sins and this is the most painful part of the process of receiving God’s forgiveness, it is very hard for humans to say sorry much more to ask forgiveness or repent from our transgressions our pride hardens our hearts making difficult for us to admit our failures or mistakes.
“When a man undertakes to repent towards his fellowmen. It is repenting straight up a precipice; when he repents towards law, it is repenting into the crocodile jaws; when he repents toward public sentiments, it is throwing himself into a thicket of brambles and thorns , but when he repents towards God, he repents towards all love and delicacy . God receives the soul as the sea the bather, to return it again, purer and whiter than he took it .” – Henry Ward Breecher.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.( Collect for Lent 1, BCP)
“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.” ( Ash Wednesday, Collect BCP).
Prayer of Confession and Absolution
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest alone, or the Bishop, when present, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.**
