St. Matthew’s commemorates Ash Wednesday
During a noon-time Ash Wednesday service, Rev. Hunter Jordan encouraged worshipers at St. Matthew’s Church to use the season of Lent as a time of reflection and vulnerability with God.
“Vulnerability is an attribute that many say is honorable; I find it to be a hard one,” Jordan said. “To be vulnerable, especially to be vulnerable all the time, is sometimes a struggle. It is something that we should do with those who we are close with, those who we know well. To be able to be vulnerable and show our weakness, to show our need for help and be comforted and encouraged, is a hard thing for us to do.”
In Biblical times, people outwardly showed their state of mind.
“The traditional thing to do when you are mourning and weeping is to rip your clothes, pour ashes on yourself and put on sackcloth. That is to show everyone that you are mourning,” Jordan said. “That is an easier thing to do than to render your hearts. Outwardly we can take off our clothes and walking around and saying ‘Look, I’m really weeping and mourning.’ That’s easier to do than actually going to somebody and being vulnerable; we are scared to do that.”
Jordan said that in Joel chapter 12, God tells his followers to repent and weep in their hearts rather than making an outward show.
Rev. Hunter Jordan
“Here, the Lord called some people to do something that is out of what is normal,” Jordan said. “Rather than looking at the outward appearance of mourning and weeping, he calls them to inwardly mourn and weep; to render their hearts and not their garments. He is asking a lot of us.”
Humans can be quick to judge or think less of us because of our weakness and our failing, Jordan said, but that should not keep us from being open with God.
“In Joel, he says to turn to the Lord your God because he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,” Jordan said. “This is who he is. We might find it hard at times to be vulnerable with other people we know. During this season of Lent, open your heart to the Lord and be vulnerable. Share with him those things that are broken. Repent of those sins you cling to and know that he is abounding in steadfast love, that he is slow to anger, that he is gracious and merciful. He will love you no less because of your brokenness.”
During the service, Jordan talked about the reason behind being marked with ashes.
“Today we prepare to receive ashes to be reminded as in Genesis 3:19 that we are but dust,” Jordan said. “You are created from dust and to dust you shall return. We are to be reminded of our mortality. To be reminded that he died and that death brings life. For some there is eternal Hell, for others there is life everlasting.”
The season of Lent lasts for 40 days, leading up to Easter. This reflects the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert. During this time, Christians fast certain foods or activities in order to grow closer to God.