Sermon Notes, Ash/Lent1 (Year A)

ASHES:
Sign of death
Sign of impermanence
Not meant to be depressing but inspiring:
Life is limited –
How will we listen to God with the time that we have>
How will we serve God’s beloved with the skills that we have?
How will we act with love and mercy for all God’s children? 

LENT:
Some see as time of deprivation
Not meant to make us miserable; but compassionate.
Invite us to go deeper into the mystery

Favourite painting: Van Gogh Starry Night
Many who look at it see a lot of everything and of nothing:
Swirls, colours, stars… looking too much above can miss what’s below.
Small church – in town
Cyprus tree – bridging earthly and heavenly

Lent does this for us:
Invites us deeper
Away from temptation (which the Gospels show us – the tempter makes promises they never intend to keep, with things – food, love, power – that were never theirs to begin with.

Life is full of temptations; but God remains constant.
Just beyond our comprehension
But never beyond connection

May our Lent be holy: as we embrace the mystery of love that surrounds us.
May we engage the world with the time that we have, for every day is a new opportunity. 

Blessing by Henri Amiel:
Life is short,
And we do not have much time
to gladden the hearts of those who
make the journey with us.
So… be swift to love,
and make haste to be kind.
And the blessing of God,
who made us,
who loves us,
and who travels with us
be with you now and forever.