February 18

Beloved families of Good Shepherd,

Peace be with you! Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the life of the Church. The forty days of Lent mirror Jesus’ time in the wilderness where he learned more about who he was and what his work was going to be. The Lenten season invites us to deepen our life with God and to learn more about who we are in preparation for the great Mystery of Easter. Today we remember that our life on this earth will one day come to an end. Our priests mark our foreheads with ashes and say: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 265).

St. Benedict, a sixth-century monk and mystic, said that it is spiritually helpful “to keep death daily before our eyes”. Sometimes Christians say the Latin words memento mori (translated as “remember your death”) as a Lenten practice to focus their lives on living with purpose and loving like Jesus. My morning commute takes me past the Lexington Cemetery where my parents are buried.  As the cemetery comes into view, I make the sign of the cross and say the words memento mori. This small practice helps me to remember that life is short and that each new day is a gift from God, given for the purpose of learning to love like Jesus.

Fr. Hendree’s “Life is Short” blessing speaks to the Ash Wednesday truth that life is gift and life is short:

“Friends, life is gift and life is short. Well, you see we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the road with us. So may we be swift to love and may we make haste to be kind.  And indeed, may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you this day and remain with you always. Amen.”

Many Blessings,

Patty