A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering: 3/3

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

In 48 hours it will be Ash Wednesday
and Lord, I want, actually I need,
for this to be a good Lent...

I need to make a new beginning
and I need your help to do that...

I want to be refreshed
by making peace with you,
with some people in my life
- and with myself...

It's time for me to take a spiritual inventory:
to count my sins
and number all your countless mercies....

You offer me this season of grace, Lord,
and I truly need
what you so freely give...

And you and I know, Lord,
that I've been here before,
so many times...

As with my New Year's resolutions,
my Lenten promises sometimes last no longer
than the ashes on my brow...

Keep me faithful this Lent to what I promise
for prayer, fasting and for works of mercy...

Keep me modest in my pledges
that I'll be faithful, even if only
in a few small things...

And if I stumble or fall along the way
then pick me up, dust me off,and set me back on the path I pledged to walk...

Let me take no pride when I am faithful to my Lenten pledge:
humble me with the help of your grace
and remind me that without you
I can do nothing...

I offer you the 40 days ahead, Lord,
and pray you help me live this season
just one day at a time...

Help me to pray, a day at a time...
Help me to sacrifice my own pleasure, a day at a time...
Help me to be generous and merciful, a day at a time...

Keep me faithful every day to prayer
to help me see you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
follow you more nearly...

Keep me faithful in my efforts
to give up, to go without those things
I really don't need
but depend on nonetheless...

Whenever, wherever I might be merciful,
make me as generous to others
as you have been to me...

As I walk this Lenten journey, Lord,
help me meet the needs of those whose paths cross mine,
all those who walk beside, behind, before me:
family and friends, neighbors and strangers...
Walk by my side this Lent, Lord,
and remind me every day
how this season is first my offering to you,
and then a grace for me...

One day at a time this Lent, Lord:
you and me, with the Church,
in the grace of your Holy Spirit,
one day at a time,
until the day of Easter joy...

Amen.

Ash Wednesday Prep