Welcome, Lenten sojourners.
The impending collision of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day on the calendar this year might have seem like an insurmountable conflict to some, and understandably so, for after all, the themes of one day are totally incompatible with the themes of the other.
For example, Valentine's Day is all about romantic love, opulent dinners, decadent chocolates, beautiful flowers, and mushy poetry. ("How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.") Ash Wednesday, on the other hand, insists on penance, prayer, humiliation, simplicity, and dire warnings. ("Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou will return.")
For Christians, in the convergence of the two days, Ash Wednesday clearly has precedence; it is one of the most solemn days of the year. Ash Wednesday is the doorway of the entire Lenten Season. It is a day of intense faith; a day on which we strive for repentance and renewal; a day of conversion, of turning away from sin and back to God. And who among us doesn't need to hear and heed that message?
Having said all that, it seems to me that upon reflection, the two days do in fact have a lot in common. In a simple equation, Ash Wednesday is to God, what Valentine's Day is to lovers.
Come lovers and Lenten sojourners - the keys to a romantic relationship: communication, sacrifice and love. Sound familiar? Reminds me of the prayer, fasting and good works that are the hallmarks of Lent.
It seems to me, then, that Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day have a lot in common after all, for the goal of both is to renew our passion for the one we love.
Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Clarissa