Hands of Repentance Ash Wednesday February 17, 2021
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the Christian’s 40-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the proclamation of Easter. The 40 days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Jesus’ 40-day fast at the beginning of his ministry, Moses’ stay on Mount Sinai at the giving of the Ten Commandments, Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God.
Ash Wednesday begins the Christian’s Lenten journey with a reminder of our mortality and a call to repentance. The ancient practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is what gives Ash Wednesday its name. Throughout church history, writers have described the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ. The ashes remind us forcefully of our need for redeeming grace as they recall words from the rite for Christian burial: “...earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust...,” words that will someday be spoken over us all. The imposition of ashes is observed widely by Christians of many traditions.
The theme for the 2021 Lenten sermons is “The Hands of the Passion.” When we consider Jesus and the people around him in his Passion, we can’t help but think of their hands—the hands that beat their breast, accepted money for betrayal, petulantly swung swords, pointed in accusation, beat and disavowed, praised, washed, were pierced, and offered eternal life. In short, we can’t help but think about how we sinners have had the same sinful hands of those who surrounded Jesus in his Passion, and how Jesus our Savior has touched us with his hands of grace.
Ash Wednesday........... Hands of Repentance (Tax Collector) ..... Luke 18:9-14
Midweek 1 ....................... Hands of Betrayal (Judas) ............................John 13:21-30
Midweek 2 ....................... Hands of Misguided Zeal (Peter) ...................John 18:4-11
Midweek 3 ....................... Hands of Hypocrisy (Caiaphas) .................. Mark 14:55-65
Midweek 4 ....................... Hands of Brutality (Soldiers) ................. Matthew 27:27-31
Midweek 5 ....................... Hands of Self-Preservation (Pilate) ....... Matthew 27:15-26
Palm Sunday .................... Hands of Praise (Disciples and Crowds) ...... Mark 11:1-11
Holy Thursday .................. Hands of Humility (Jesus) ..................... John 13:1-5,12-17
Good Friday ..................... Nail-Pierced Hands (Jesus) .......................... Luke 23:32-34
Easter Sunday................... Life-Giving Hands (Jesus) .............................John 20:19-23
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