The following is a meditiation given on February 14, 2024 at the Ash Wednesday combined service for Plymouth Trinity, Plymouth First, and Tyner UMC churches.
I’ve had two big items on my calendar the last few weeks for today. Two things I didn’t want to forget! The first is Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want to forget it because Pastor Cathy is my wife, and I would feel horrible if I forgot to wish her a Happy Valentine’s! It might not have been as nice driving over or home if I had forgotten.
The second item on my calendar the last several weeks has been Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. For the first time in 73 years, Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day on the calendar. Valentine’s Day is always February 14; this year, for the first time in my life Ash Wednesday is too.
Falling on the same day brings up some interesting contrasts. I asked the following questions when our church visited the residents of Miller’s Merry Manor assisted living center, and they nailed them!
I asked them when they thought of Valentine’s Day, what came to mind?
They shouted out, “Candy, roses, flowers, hearts.
I asked the residents, “What is the color of Valentine’s?”
“Red, bright red!”
The second item on my calendar the last several weeks has been Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. For the first time in 73 years, Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day on the calendar. Valentine’s Day is always February 14; this year, for the first time in my life Ash Wednesday is too.
Falling on the same day brings up some interesting contrasts. I asked the following questions when our church visited the residents of Miller’s Merry Manor assisted living center, and they nailed them!
I asked them when they thought of Valentine’s Day, what came to mind?
They shouted out, “Candy, roses, flowers, hearts.
I asked the residents, “What is the color of Valentine’s?”
“Red, bright red!”
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I asked, “What do we think of on Ash Wednesday?” “Ashes, of course!” “A cross made from ashes.”
Maybe fasting too, but since we were sharing Little Debbie’s Valentine’s Hearts with them the residents, I didn’t highlight fasting.
“What would Ash Wednesday’s color be?” Harder to answer, but they said “gray.”
Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday. Candy and roses, ashes and a cross.
Very different holidays. The interesting thing is they are both about love.
If you have someone you love, you still have a few hours left to wish them a Happy Valentine’s Day! If you have someone special you love, be sure to show them you love them in whatever way is best. It might be roses or candy. It might be a hug. Cards, phone calls, or texts might be good too.
But Ash Wednesday is all about our hearts too. As Jesus said and Pastor Lauren read, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We should treasure the people in our life, and not just on Valentine’s Day. But Jesus is encouraging us and challenging us to see where God’s place is in our heart.
Are there any ways He is not occupying His rightful place in our hearts?
Pastor Cathy read Joel 2:12-13, a traditional scripture chosen on Ash Wednesdays. It very much focuses on getting our hearts right.
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Stores and restaurants have been advertising Valentine’s Day specials because they had material treasures for our loved ones.
The candy is soon eaten, the roses fade, and the cards are put away or recycled and even likely forgotten before long. Nice treasures, for sure, but also ultimately fleeting.
Ash Wednesday may feel somber, darker than Valentine’s Day. But the ashes and crosses of Ash Wednesday remind us of a lasting and even deeper love than Valentine’s Day. They remind us of a sacrificial love that is ours for eternity.
While Valentine’s Day reminds us of the importance and joy of romance and the love of family and friends. Ash Wednesday reminds us of how much we are loved by God who gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus.
Ash Wednesday’s symbol is not roses or candy, it is a cross made out of ashes. Ash Wednesday reminds us our lives are fleeting, but the depth of the God’s love and forgiveness found in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is eternal. On Ash Wednesday we are reminded to turn our hearts to a God who is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
You still have time to share your love with someone this Valentine’s Day! It is always a good time to share your love with someone. But I encourage you, even more, to find time, not just on this Ash Wednesday, but every day this Lent, to spend time with God and meditate on how much He loves you.
Very different holidays. The interesting thing is they are both about love.
If you have someone you love, you still have a few hours left to wish them a Happy Valentine’s Day! If you have someone special you love, be sure to show them you love them in whatever way is best. It might be roses or candy. It might be a hug. Cards, phone calls, or texts might be good too.
But Ash Wednesday is all about our hearts too. As Jesus said and Pastor Lauren read, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
We should treasure the people in our life, and not just on Valentine’s Day. But Jesus is encouraging us and challenging us to see where God’s place is in our heart.
Are there any ways He is not occupying His rightful place in our hearts?
Pastor Cathy read Joel 2:12-13, a traditional scripture chosen on Ash Wednesdays. It very much focuses on getting our hearts right.
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Stores and restaurants have been advertising Valentine’s Day specials because they had material treasures for our loved ones.
The candy is soon eaten, the roses fade, and the cards are put away or recycled and even likely forgotten before long. Nice treasures, for sure, but also ultimately fleeting.
Ash Wednesday may feel somber, darker than Valentine’s Day. But the ashes and crosses of Ash Wednesday remind us of a lasting and even deeper love than Valentine’s Day. They remind us of a sacrificial love that is ours for eternity.
While Valentine’s Day reminds us of the importance and joy of romance and the love of family and friends. Ash Wednesday reminds us of how much we are loved by God who gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus.
Ash Wednesday’s symbol is not roses or candy, it is a cross made out of ashes. Ash Wednesday reminds us our lives are fleeting, but the depth of the God’s love and forgiveness found in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is eternal. On Ash Wednesday we are reminded to turn our hearts to a God who is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.
You still have time to share your love with someone this Valentine’s Day! It is always a good time to share your love with someone. But I encourage you, even more, to find time, not just on this Ash Wednesday, but every day this Lent, to spend time with God and meditate on how much He loves you.
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