Ash Wednesday Reflection

I have just been to a very moving Anglican Choral Eucharist service which was a wonderful way to begin Lent. I thought I'd share with you a prayer from the liturgy which I found particularly helpful: 

For these forty days

you lead us to into the desert of repentance

that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline 

we may grow in grace

and learn to be your people once again. 

Though fasting, prayer and acts of service

you bring us back to your generous heart. 

Through study of your holy word

you open our eyes to your presence in the world 

and free our hands to welcome others

into the radiant splendour of your love.

(Eucharistic Prayer)

When we are marked with ashes, it is a sign of the spirit of penitence which we retain throughout the season of Lent. Ashes are also a symbol of our own mortality and remind us that we are but dust, and to dust we shall return.