Ash Wednesday
"You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58.11
What is the purpose of Ash Wednesday; or for that matter for Lent?
The symbolism is obvious. The ash reminds us of the dust from which we were made and to which we will return. However we exalt ourselves, we are but mere mortals.
And it associates us with those who weep over their sins in sackcloth and ashes.
But much more than this, it has become in the annual life of millions of Christians down through the centuries, the beginning of seven weeks when we can take stock of our spiritual life. When we can tune up our walk with God. When we can help to restore that delicate balance between our oh-so-demanding flesh, and our weak but willing spirits.
So rather than preach a traditional sermon on this first day of lent, I want to remind you of the spiritual disciplines which can become the exercises that tighten our flabby spiritual muscles.
Lent can of course, be like joining a gym. We pay our dues, get the membership card and special offers pack; even buy new trainers and a designer track suit. And then feel proud to be part of that great gym membership which is not troubled by actually attending gym, and certainly not by doing any exercise!
The spiritual disciplines are the exercises – the machines in the gym if you like.
So here are a selection of the spiritual disciplines with a few comments on them.
First the disciplines of Abstinence:
Traditionally, the fathers and mothers of the church have seen the disciplines of abstinence as controlling the normal desires: food, sleep, bodily activity, companionship, curiosity, sex; and also the subtler desires: convenience, comfort, material security, reputation, fame and variety.
These disciplines of the Via Negativa are usually:
Solitude Silence Fasting
Frugality Chastity Secrecy
Sacrifice Vigil (Suffering) Rest
Then there are the more positive Disciplines of Engagement; the Via Positiva:
Study Worship Celebration
Service Prayer Fellowship
Confession Writing Work
A balanced diet of these disciplines over the Lenten period, and beyond, will make us healthier spiritually and prepare us for a joyful Easter.
And more than this, the disciplines will nourish our inner life and give us inner resources. Then we will find God’s promise to Isaiah becomes increasingly true in our growth in godliness.
"You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58.11
Rainer Maria Rilke wrote:
"You will disturb your development in a most violent manner if you expect answers from outside to questions which only the most secret feelings of your calmest hours can solve. I beg you to be patient with all the unsolved problems of your heart and to care for the questions themselves. Do not search for the answers to be given you; if given, they would be of no use, for you could not live them. For the present live in the questions and little by little and almost unconsciously you will enter the answers and live them also.”
