Joel 2:12-17
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love,
and relenting from punishment.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the aged;
gather the children,
even infants at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her canopy.
17 Between the vestibule and the altar,
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep.
Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
and do not make your heritage a mockery,
a byword among the nations.
Why should it be said among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ ”
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love…
Happy Fat Tuesday! As you’re enjoying your pancakes, or paczkis, or king cake, or whatever you use to celebrate, remember that God is good all the time.
Tomorrow, we will gather in a solemn assembly where we will rend our hearts in repentance, returning to the Lord in confession, with a smudge of ashes, and in Holy Communion. Ash Wednesday is a heavy day, but it’s a necessary part of our life of faith.
Making the choice to publicly acknowledge our sin is a powerful reminder of our absolute dependence on God’s mercy and grace. Who knows, someone who is drowning in shame over sins they believe cannot be forgiven may see our fearless confession and realize that they too are loved and forgiven.
Prayer: God of Grace and Glory: Apart from your grace, we would wither and die. Thank you for your assurance that you will never abandon or forsake us. In the Name of Jesus, through whom you make your perfect love known to us, AMEN.