Welcome to The Upper Room. So glad you made it.
Happy Third Day of the Lenten Season.
Isn't it somewhat novel we name the first day of the Lenten Season "Ash Wednesday.?" How so apt and accurate. For that is one of the keyholders/pillars of the season, and fasting as a whole. In fasting, we remind ourselves of our humanity and our mortality.
I guess that is one of the reasons for the "ashes" in the "sackcloth and ashes" symbolism of godly sorrow. We all were molded from dust and to dust shall our physical makeup return. [Ecclesiastes 3:20; Genesis 3:19]
So, in Psalm 90:12, we are told to number our days so we might apply our heart unto wisdom. Why? We are all so easily carried away when things are going our way. We forget so easily our humanity, our mortality.
None of us is exempted from this. Every single one of us has this tendency. Even the most saintly amongst us. Hence, the need to remind ourselves. The ancients knew this. So, they had a slave at the back of the conquering general with the task of singing these words in his ears: "memento mori" (remember you are mortal)
A day of fasting was a part of the law and tradition of the Jews. A solemn day. Really, this is what the Sabbath ought to work for us also. A day to shut every other thing out and focus on our source, our home, our rest, our all.
As we go through the days of this year's Lenten Season, may we be reminded we are not self-sustaining. That we are not home here in this life, only cheer pilgrims. And, one day, we will go back home, irrespective of our status or attainment on this side of eternity.
May the day of departure not catch us unawares. May it be our vision as we live our lives in the in-between. May our departure give thanks to our in-between. May we leave a legacy we are proud of. May our being be etched for good and greatness on the stone of time. May we live forever in the hearts we leave behind.
Happy Lenten Season.
Let's pray.
The Saint.
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