Ash Wednesday - B

Object: A whiteboard, or large piece of paper you can write on.

Note: In the first part of this message, you want to help the children create a list of things people have done for them to help them in some way. The “script” will get you started, but take more time to talk together until you get at least four or five things on the list describing specific things people have done to help them when they needed help. Have fun with the conversation.

* * *

Friends in Alberta used to tell of an uncle who married late in life. His bride was a feisty widow who sparkled with energy. The wedding took place on a farm in the old family home.

At the appropriate moment in the ceremony the pastor asked the bride, “Do you promise to love, honor, and obey him?”

She hesitated, face scrunched in thought. “Love and honor — yes,” she finally responded. “Obey — no!”

Both the pastor and the groom were taken aback. What to do now?

Proverbs 31:10-31
In this past I was uncomfortable with this passage because it was used by some to paint a picture of the perfect woman as the submissive housewife whose horizons should be limited to home and hearth, with a heavy dose of obedience thrown in.

“Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” (v. 13)

Dad called me from the farm in the fall of 1981 with that urgent, somber tone in his voice he always had when he was about to share bad news.

“Frank died,” he said.

“Frank Brown?” I asked, shocked.

“Yep, Virgie called,” he said. “He has been sick for quite a while.”

Perhaps one of the problems of those who are on the fringes of the church, that is those who call themselves Christians, who wish to be associated with the church and who believe in God but who are not deeply committed, is that their prayers are rarely answered.

They may for instance, pray to win the lottery, but it doesn't happen. When something awful happens like a serious illness, naturally they pray for recovery, but it doesn't necessarily happen. Perhaps the loved one dies. They may pray for their children to be

Save me, O God, by your name,
and vindicate me by your might ...
For the insolent have risen against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they do not set God before them.
But surely, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
-- Psalm 54:1, 3-4

Theme: Appeal to God, who is just and faithful

Outline
1-3 -- Appeal to God: "The ruthless seek my life."
4-7 -- He thanks God, trusting God will defend and avenge him as in the past.

Notes
• Lament

(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle C, for an alternative approach.)

Psalm 1 has long been considered as a possible prologue to the rest of the psalter. In fact, in several ancient Hebrew manuscripts, this psalm is not numbered as are the others in the collection. The content of the psalm also has something of a "foreword" quality about it. Many of the themes that are developed at length in the rest of the psalms are touched upon in this first one.

It's a question you've probably not thought much about, but were any parts of the Bible written by women? We count about forty different writers in scripture, and according to the usual assumption, all of them were men. Among the reasons for that conclusion is the fact that the dominant culture of the ancient Middle East was patriarchal. Men were in charge, and women had few rights of their own, not unlike in some of the stricter Muslim countries today. Also, in those times, literacy rates for women were low, because they were not offered formal education.

A recent visit to the ophthalmologist became quite an eye-opening experience. Signs and images had been a problem for some time. The thorough exam revealed that the prescription lens, allowing vision at a distance to be improved, needed strengthened. New glasses were ordered. When they arrived I was thrilled. The thrill was short-lived. When I put the glasses on, the clarity of distant vision improved immediately. However, there was a downside. Everything within six feet was a blur. Reading while wearing the new glasses was virtually impossible.