Signs of Life: Ash Wednesday

Our lives as Christians can be spent berating our hearts. But the Good News is about remembering who Jesus has made you to be and who he’s making you into. It’s not your work and it can never be your work. You can’t do it to yourself. 

– Br. Sean Glenn, SSJE


Way of Love: Daily Practice

Pray for strength to observe a holy Lent.


Share your experience in the comments below

32 Comments

  1. Beverley Salmon on February 25, 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Looking forward to this Lenton study

    • Jaan Sass on February 26, 2020 at 11:15 pm

      i am also looking forward to this lenten study

  2. Jennifer L on February 25, 2020 at 10:47 pm

    Excited to begin this journey in the company of you all. It’s not my work to do alone, but in the fellowship of others.

    • Sherryl Bishop on February 26, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      Looking forward to a rich and spirit filled Lenten journey.

    • Sherryl Bishop on February 26, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      Looking forward to a rich and spirit filled Lenten journey in the company of all of you who I can lean on for strength and support, as I am leaning on God’s almighty hands each day I love. We know that we are required to help each other.

  3. Amy Clayton on February 26, 2020 at 5:43 am

    Strange. Praying for strength to let somebody else do work. Within that contradiction lies the mystery of grace.

    I am happy to have this carry me through today: it’s not what I do, it’s the space during this time that I release to God to work within me. Reminds me of childbirth. The labor is not mine to control, it’s mine to allow and be present to. Blessings of strength to all of us.

  4. Jeanne DeFazio on February 26, 2020 at 6:04 am

    Pray for strength to observe a holy Lent. That says it all. Getting through the day without falling into patterns of ungodly reaction to circumstances is challenging. Thankfully can read these devotionals to be encouraged!

  5. Karen Swartout on February 26, 2020 at 6:53 am

    Today I turn 81 and it is good to remember that God is not done with me yet

    • Mar on February 26, 2020 at 8:23 am

      Happy birthday to you….

    • Ruth Mutti on February 26, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      Karen, may your birthday be full of Love and laughter. Happy Birthday!

    • Sue on February 26, 2020 at 6:48 pm

      Happy Birthday Karen!

  6. Pete Taft on February 26, 2020 at 6:59 am

    Such a simple prayer for such a long journey! Thanks, friends!

  7. Rick Porter on February 26, 2020 at 7:24 am

    With so much need all around me at this time in my life, I pray that throughout this Lent I remain focused on Jesus and what I am to do in each moment and rely upon Him to help me care for myself so I that I will have the strength and clarity to do His will and avoid temptation. In this 40 days I pray to have the grace to consciously submit to God’s will at the start of each day and to then live in His grace throughout the day and all of its distractions and troubles. In God’s grace through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

  8. Sue Berkenbush on February 26, 2020 at 8:07 am

    At 90 I give thanks for my life and pray to continue in God’s plan for my life……..with love, devotion and a sense of purpose.

  9. Laurie M on February 26, 2020 at 8:51 am

    It is good to be with you all on this path with Jesus. Thank you for the inspiration that you are for me.

  10. Lisa Noll on February 26, 2020 at 9:09 am

    You can’t do it alone.
    A perfect message for me today. I work with people who are homeless. It was 6degrees here last night. Need strength to continue to do he small part that I can do rather than giving up because it is all just too much.

  11. Kortney Clemmons on February 26, 2020 at 10:34 am

    Wonderful encouragement! Lord grant us strength to rend our hearts not just our garments. I know the blessed surrender makes me tremble and my rebellious heart sinks like Peter when he was called onto the water. Give me and all my brothers and sisters strength and courage to love and serve you.

  12. Cynthia Wigdahl on February 26, 2020 at 10:39 am

    I am longing for a holy Lent. Stillness in the midst of the whirlwind. Today’s prayer meets me here.

  13. Anita Booth on February 26, 2020 at 10:43 am

    Looking forward to this. Today I’m giving a talk on Celtic Christianity and singing in my church choir for imposition of ashes.

  14. Roger Williams on February 26, 2020 at 11:28 am

    As I assisted with the Imposition of Ashes this morning again and again I saw eyes filled with yearning, hope and expectancy as we embark on this journey that is not ‘ours’ but again Jesus’ journey in us. And as Amy said, “praying for strength to let somebody else do the work. “

  15. Rick Fowler on February 26, 2020 at 1:20 pm

    Each morning I thank God for another day added to my life. I pray that I may live it as he would have me to do. My hope is to be given strength to make my Lenten journey and to come to know Jesus more as we journey together.

  16. Rhode on February 26, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    I woke up late last night (”berating my heart! What have I really accomplished that would matter to God? ) in tears.
    Thank you! for this timely first Lenten message. —It is not about my anything, as it is about accepting and revering the Holiness of His presence and grace in my life …for His purpose.

  17. Richard Graves on February 26, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Where do I find the video to download?

    • admin on February 26, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Hi Richard,
      The weekly videos start on Sunday March 1. But they are available to download now if you visit the Sign page for example signsoflife.org/light and we you see link to download that video

  18. James Rowland on February 26, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    This morning at Lectio Divina Christ seemed to say, “You cannot move closer to me, I move closer to you.”
    And this afternoon I read, “It is not your work, it can never be your work. You can’t do it yourself”—a message confirmed. This season of Lent my invitation is to go into the deserted places there to be found by Christ.

  19. Freddie (Trey) McNabb on February 26, 2020 at 6:22 pm

    Praying for strength for a daily prayerful reading of Scriptures, a more meaningful prayer life and doing more listening for God’s response and simply enjoying his presence, and a kinder, more gentle spirit in dealing with loved ones during this stressful time of caring for an ailing parent.

  20. Jamie Burnett on February 26, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    Feeling blessed to be sharing Lent with each of you and all these wonderful materials.

  21. Elizabeth Clifford on February 26, 2020 at 7:46 pm

    Lovely Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes in my small, warm congregation this noontime. Our rector spoke of God’s Grace and Mercy as we shared Scripture, Penitance, Peace, the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, enacting these very words. A beautiful beginning. May we all embrace openness to all God longs to give us.

  22. Jane Anne Gleason on February 26, 2020 at 11:31 pm

    MayGod be with all of us during this Lenten Season.

  23. Bev Cone on February 27, 2020 at 7:37 am

    I live in a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community). I play the piano for our worship services for Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing participants. Our Ash Wednesday service was beautiful, but challenging for me. I had surgery on my right leg this week to remove cancer, so have to play the piano with my left leg managing the pedal while I heal. It was an especially beautiful experience for me, making me grateful for the day.

  24. Dawn Greaves-Ward on February 27, 2020 at 1:29 pm

    Looking foward for this study , as my desire is to know more about Jesus as I journey through this Lenten season.

  25. Rose Palacio,RSM,Philippines on February 28, 2020 at 8:47 pm

    Rose Palacio-Philippines on February 29,2020
    How lucky we are to observe God’s journey to the Father.Thank you..

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply