It calls us back to the disciplines of the Christian–prayer, fasting, giving to the poor. Simple austerity in the face of sin and mortality.
It might be the most authentic day of the church year.
There is something very real and true about Ash Wednesday. Like Christmas or Easter, where many people either return to church, or consider worship for the first time, Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent has a powerful attraction. New people visit our church almost every week, but these “new start” times see a much higher number of people in whom I sense an opening to become a part of our community, an opening to deepening their faith in love of Christ and service to neighbor. I find these are good times for new people to visit church, and for established members to recommit to regular worship. We make space in our lives, letting go of old ways and initiating new ones. In each of these moments, we evaluate our lives and consider new habits and direction. Certain moments in our lives leave us open to new beginnings.
