Ash Wednesday

On this day, the inauguration of the 40 days of Lent, the faithful recall their mortality in anticipation of the hope and promise of resurrection and the great feast of Easter. Today's chapel sermon was entitled "Adam's Epitaph." The epitaph itself is encapsulated in one of today's scripture texts:

020905 Ash Wed Originally uploaded by kim.e.

And to the man he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten of the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all living. And the LORD God made garments of skins for the man and for his wife, and clothed them. (Gen 3:17-21 NRSV)

An Insight

An interesting quote from Gary Harbaugh's book The Pastor as Person:

Pastors are persons. Most of the problems pastors experience in the parish are not caused by the pastor forgetting he or she is a pastor. Most difficulties pastors face in the parish arise when the pastor forgets that he or she is a person. (9)

There is a need to reflect on this idea, because there are times, frankly, when pastors can get into big trouble when they forget they're pastors. If you have any thoughts on this, I'd love to see them here in the comments.

Chant Church

The interior of Church of St. Anne, a 12th century church built near the Bethesda Pool, which is the place cited in the Gospel of John where Christ healed a paralytic. The pool itself also has ties to the Hellenistic healing Cult of Asclepius. From Sacred-Destination.com:

Chant Church Originally uploaded by whatnext.

"Saint Anne's acoustics, designed for Gregorian chant, are so perfect that the church is virtually a musical instrument to be played by the human voice. Pilgrim groups come to sing in the church throughout the day, and you, too, are welcome to prepare a song of any religion--only religious songs are permitted. The church's acoustics are most amazing when used by a soprano or a tenor solo voice."

I can attest to the acoustics, as a member of our party was invited to sign a song of praise. The sound was amazing.