Скачать или смотреть Ash Wednesday: a reflection with words and music

A cross is signed on my forehead
Made with ash from the burning of Palm Sunday crosses
A sign of my mortality
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
But this cross is also an invitation to turn inward
To see you, Lord, in the quietness
You challenge me not to make a show of my piety
And as Lent begins, I feel ashamed
How often have I sought applause?
To be popular, successful, liked?
To even make a show of my giving, my prayers, my fasting
Look at me, I say to the world
Look how important I am
But you call me to the quiet
To that hidden place where you dwell
You call me away from the noise to the silence
From centre stage to the stillness
Where you are near
And there I hear your whisper of love
There I sense your encouragement to converse with you
And to surrender to your will
Ashes mark my forehead
Inviting curious comments through the day
But deep down, I know that my treasure is in you
And where my treasure is, there my heart will be
So I lay down my pride
My need for recognition
My earthly desires
My restless striving
And even as the ashes fade away
My soul remains marked by love
By you


Words and music ©Darren Garfield 2025