Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
Ash Wednesday is tomorrow! Get your foreheads ready for some burnt up palms and oil.
I find many people do not get very excited around this time of year. Ash Wednesday to some is a sign of more church services, no alleluias, and durgy Church hymns. Let me try my best to uplift this wonderful church service. The words spoken as you recieve the ash are, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." These are taken from Genesis 3:19. These words are given after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit (I like to think it's a pineapple). These words can seem depressing, but they are actually quite liberating and hopeful. Yes, we are created mortal beings who will die some day. Yes, we are not God and it shows in our inability to obtain perfection of any kind. These are tue statements, but it also means we will return home. If we are to return to our dusty form that means we return to the One who created us. So remember you are dust:
And to dust you shall return:
I do hope you partake in this lovely service and recieve the sign of the cross! Points to Ponder:
2 Comments
Sally Rehn
2/13/2018 10:24:23 am
Really – a pineapple? I guess I never thought with that fruit might be – thanks for the insight !!
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Ron Peterson
2/13/2018 10:49:28 am
For years, I have looked forward to Ash Wednesday services, & the sign of the cross of ashes on my forehead. It reminds me that no matter the many wrongs I have done, I am assured of eternal life because my Savior died & rose so I might live. By the way, I had always associated an apple as the forbidden fruit; but, I can accept a pineapple, as that is also one of my favorite fruits..
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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