Ash Wednesday
This a.m., "failure to commend the faith that is in us" leapt out from the litany for Ash Wedneday.
One pastor comments, "We have not fully understood [faith], entrusted ourselves to it, or practiced it." [www.pubtheo.com/page.asp?pid=1446].
Bad inadequate us, to be sure. That's why I love Psalm 32, which begins and ends with joy, even as remembering the withering and groaning of unconfessed sin. How trusting vv. 7 and 8 are, picturing "all the faithful making their prayers to you in time of trouble," concluding v. 8, "you surround me with shouts of deliverance."
The shouts brought to mind last night's pancake supper, when the Associate Rector went around to the many round tables "collecting" Alleluias for "burial" in Lent. Each table shouted "ALLELUIA" as she came by, so that all around the room you heard the Alleuias erupting. We were literally sitting in a surround-sound of deliverance.
So when I woke up today I understood that deliverance-surrounding community to be the way into Lent. There is safety there "hiding place," (v. 8) and mercy embraces those who trust (v. 11). Holding back from there would be my failure to commend the faith that is in us. The mercies come from changing our practice of withholding the things we need God's help with. Yipe.
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