The Liturgy for Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in the western Church, happens in a unique way in my parish. We only celebrate Matins and Evensong, and do not celebrate a Eucharist.

There are two reasons for this. The first is that the absense of Holy Communion helps to create a sense of stark relief and contrast. This is very helpful to bring about and induce a shift to Lent which is experiential.

The second is that the appointed Scripture readings for Ash Wednesday in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer are excellent, and fit together perfectly for not only Ash Wednesday but for the whole of Lent. These readings are:

* Jonah 3-4:11 — Jonah’s proclaiming to the Ninevites

* Hebrews 12:1-14 — S. Paul’s teaching on Christ’s perserverance and discipline

* Luke 18:9-14 — Our Lord’s Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The audio above includes the three readings and is followed by my my sermon. The sermon was offered extemporaneously, and thus there is no prepared text for you to read.

If you want to skip the readings and go straightway to the preaching, that starts just after the 9-minute mark.

May your Lent be blessed and holy, my friends!

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