Gen. 15:1-12; 17-18; Ps.27; Phil. 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
Commemoration: Polycarp
(69-155 CE)
Philippians 3:21 “Christ will transform our humble bodies
to conform to his glorious body.”
The journey through Lent, the path
through the wilderness, is a path marked with ash. We were marked with ash for the journey on
the first day in Lent: ash, an ingredient in soap, for cleansing; ash, from
which the phoenix arises with new life; ash, sign of mourning; ash, mark of
repentance; ash, residue of burning, a leaving behind; and ash, for humility -
humility, from the same word root as humble, human, humus. We are from the earth: “remember that you are dust, and to
dust you shall return”. On this day we remember our brother, the martyr Bishop Polycarp,
who is reported to have been a disciple of John the Evangelist. When his imperial
captors closed in on him at a country house near Smyrna, he invited the
soldiers in and had them served food and drink. In Irenaeus' account of
Polycarp's death by fire in the arena, it was said there was a beautiful
fragrance, "like frankincense". May we never know the arena. But may
we be a humble, fragrant offering (marked with ash!) - wherever our journey
leads.
O God our shelter, you have created a place for us in the
body of Christ. Bless our daily journey, that all we do may give glory to your
name. Amen
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icon of a saint important to you. Place it near your altar.
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