For the liturgically minded among us, you know that yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  For forty days, Christians around the world will take time to contemplate, in deeper fashion than they might otherwise, humility, sacrifice, and repentance.  They endeavor to let go of themselves and their everyday desires and embrace the other side, the side of life to which most people do not usually go, that of recognizing the reality of human folly and frailty before the vastness of the cosmos and, most of all, the overwhelming mystery and presence of God.  Lent is a time of journey, journeying to who we most are, remarkable and glorious, yes, but broken as well, broken people who are in need of the saving and healing grace of God.
     In less than thirty-nine days, this journey will end, culminating in the remembrance of the grandest event of all:  the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is a victory that remains with us to this day.  All things have become new.
     In closing, I offer this prayer by Jan Richardson:

     Will you meet us
     in the ashes
     will you meet us
     in the ache
     and show your face
     within our sorrow
     and offer us
     your word of grace.

     That you are life
     within the dying
     that you abide
     within the dust
     that you are what
     survives the burning
     that you arise
     to make us new.

     And in our aching
     you are breathing
     and in our weeping
     you are here
     within the hands
     that bear your blessing
     enfolding us
     within your love.