Grace and peace to you from God.
Let Me Hear Joy And Gladness
A year ago today Christchurch and the Canterbury province were hit by a devastating earthquake that killed 185 people, destroying much of the central city and causing widespread damage and devastation. Quakes have continued since that day.
Once again this Ash Wednesday we were inscribed with an ashen cross and, as these words were spoken over us – remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return – we were reminded of our mortality … in much the same way as when a loved one dies, or when our body slows down and wears out, or when we experience brokenness in relationships and community … or when the earthquake strikes again.
Isn’t it a little strange that we would want to receive this further reminder of our mortality and human brokenness … a black ashen cross?
Or maybe not.
Maybe the fact that we want to hear this dust to dust word and receive this ashen cross indicates that we have also heard and trust the Word of God’s beautiful promise, in the first reading for Ash Wednesday –
Return to the Lord your God, for the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. (Joel 2:13)Or –
Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)Or in the psalm for Ash Wednesday –
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. (Psalm 51:8)As Christchurch and New Zealand kept silence this afternoon to call to mind brokenness and loss, once again we entered the Lenten season – a journey that while it acknowledges human brokenness and loss, also looks forward in hope to restoration, repair and forgiveness gained for us through the broken Christ of the cross.
Christchurch, we pray with and for you –
Eternal God, who loves us with an everlasting love, and can turn the shadow of death into the morning; help us now as we wait upon you. In the silence of this moment speak to us of eternal things, that we may have hope, and be lifted above our darkness and distress into the light and peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth; blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen.Friends, once I return from meetings here in Adelaide to the Land of the Long White Cloud, I’ll prepare and send out a more regular update. Please accept my apology for not having this ready for the beginning of Ash Wednesday.
(Prayed at the Service of Prayer for Christchurch at St Pauls Lutheran Church Wellington on 1st March 2011)
Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.
+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand
