these ashes we wear


holy god who suffers with us,
suffers for us, suffers because of us
place your arms around us
and hold us tight


as we let go of the things
which keep us from encountering you
cling tighter to us
in the holy spaces of our lives

be that which connects us
to our sisters and brothers
so that the global church
may become closer, nearer

help us to be freed from
the dark places in our hearts
and let these ashes we wear
symbolize more than rote liturgy

let them remind us of how
we are like the phoenix
born new out of our ashes
perpetually re-made through you.

help us to be re-imagined
over the next forty days
into more full creations
fully living, fully being.

amen.

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