Ash Wednesday, which inaugurates the penitential season of Lent, will be on March 5 this year. I will again offer a daily reflection on the psalm verses from the lectionary, accompanied by music, imagery, and a prayer as well as a link to the readings.
For readers who are newer to the reflections, a word about why I have chosen to focus on the psalms. They are accessible and user-friendly for busy people. Their poetry is powerful. They can help us deepen our relationship to God. And, during a season in which many of us try to increase or intensify our spiritual practices, they offer us a way into prayer. The Psalms both summon us to pray and provide us the words when we need them.
The Hebrew name for the Psalms is Tehillim, or “Praises.” But numerically there are more petitions and laments than praises among the 150, so “praises” might seem to be an odd moniker. But perhaps it is a form of praise simply to acknowledge God’s existence, to cry out, and to hang on to our belief in God’s love, even as we see the wicked prosper, as the darkness bruise, as the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune fly. Whether we do so in joy or sorrow, doubt or faith, in addressing the Lord, we are confessing our belief that ultimately, God holds the whole world in his hands.
Now, for some housekeeping:
To receive reflections in your email inbox, you may use the sign-up form to the right, or access it through this link: http://eepurl.com/gj22CH. Each reflection will be posted daily on this website as well. (Please note that I do not do anything with the email addresses other than send reflections in Advent and Lent, so your information is safe with me!)
Reflections will begin on Wednesday, March 5 and go through Holy Saturday, April 19. There will be no reflection offered on Sundays, which are feast days.
Finally, I welcome comments and feedback throughout these forty days! Questions, comments, suggestions, all help me get better, so please don’t hesitate to let me know what you think.
I look forward to walking through Lent with you.
Betsy
