A Prayer for Ash Wednesday (2017)

Lord, on this day,
we gather as a people broken,
        bleeding from self-inflicted wounds;
our world blood-soaked in violence,
        the ground screaming out its protest –
even the crimson sunset a reminder,
        the sun also rises over a world at war.

So despite our words and our glib assurance,
        to ourselves – to each other – to you;
we are not “okay,” we are not “just fine.”
        Please help us to see, to feel again.

Long ago you saw your good creation
        filled with violence and oppression;
you were heartbroken – you the almighty God,
        you regretted making people. *
So you “rebooted” creation, cleaned the slate,
        started over – hoped it would be better.

Long ago you heard the cries from Sodom,
        the injustice – the violence – the rape;
We liked that sermon – until Ezekiel came out,
        and told us what you saw: they were proud
with plenty to eat and enjoyed their own prosperity
        but they didn’t bother to help the poor and needy. ** 

The one on the other side of the road
        is still there: beaten, bloodied, and ignored;
waiting for someone to help them,
        but everyone is too busy, too selfish. ***

Dear God, give us the courage to see our brokenness,
        the grace to look in the mirror and confess:

        We are the land filled with violence and oppression,
                the ones causing you regret for making people.
        We are Sodom: addicted to our wealth, keeping what is ours,
                so the poor and needy are not welcomed, not here.
        We are the religious ones too busy to stop,
                unable to open our hearts to the desperate.

We are not okay, we are not alright.
        We are the broken ones, dear God.
       
After all the events of this year, Lord,
        how could we look at a beautiful child,
                covered in blood, sitting in an ambulance,
                looking at us;
        and say anything other than,
                Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
                Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
                Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

—

* Genesis 6:7

** Ezekiel 16:49

*** Luke 10:29-37

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