One Catholic On Ash Wednesday

Took my Mother to 10:00 am Mass. This kind of sums up my day.


Ashes - Tom Conry
We rise again from ashes, from the good we've failed to do. We rise again from ashes, to create ourselves anew. If all the world is ashes, then must our lives be true, an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

 We offer you our failures, we offer you attempts, The gifts not fully given, the dreams not fully dreamt Give our stumblings direction, give our visions wider view an offering of ashes, an offering to you.

 Joel 2: 12 - 18
12 "Yet even now," says the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.

 Psalms 51: 3 - 6, 12 - 14, 17
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment.

2 Corinthians 5: 20 - 21
20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Matthew 6: 1 - 6, 16 - 18
1 "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16 "And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
18 that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me.... I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught... my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear... the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares... we have already come. T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far... and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me... His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be... as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years... bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise... then when we've first begun.

 Here I Am, Lord Dan Schutte 1981, Dan Schutte & New Dawn Music 
 I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save.

I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away.

 I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.

 Finest bread I will provide Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I sent?