Themes of Faith from Ash Wednesday, 2010

Selection from "When Death Comes" by Mary Oliver

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

Prayer Intention

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness

Joel 2:12-13

Yet even now, says the LORD,return to me with all your heart,with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD, your God,for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 51 :1

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. ... (NKJV)

Miserere mei Deus secundum misericordiam tuam iuxta multitudinem miserationum tuarum dele iniquitates meas ... (Latin-Vulgate)

In the following video, most of this Psalm is sung by a renowed English choir, using the Latin text.



Matthew 6:21

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."