Ash Wednesday, Yr A (2026) The Rev. Karen C. Barfield

Ash Wednesday, Yr A (2026)                                                         The Rev. Karen C. Barfield

Isaiah 58:1-12                                                                            St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

In the name of the one, holy, and loving God:

            in whom we live, and move, and have our being.  Amen.

Paul says to the Church at Corinth:

            “Be reconciled to God.”

That seems to me the theme of Lent: reconciliation.

Reconciliation with God…

            reconciliation with our neighbor…

                        reconciliation with ourselves…

                                    reconciliation with the whole of creation!

If we are to consider reconciliation in its entirety,

            that can be quite overwhelming.

Perhaps we could break it down a bit and consider a bite-sized piece!

The first question we may ask ourselves is:

            What stands in the way, or blocks,

       our relationships with God, our neighbors, ourselves, and creation?

            What is it that hinders our reconciliation?

Pride, arrogance, greed, anger, fear, procrastination, something else?

Once we discover what is blocking reconciliation for us,

            then we may ask:

      What actions can I take to restore one or more of these relationships?

The Gospel of Matthew offers us four actions to foster relationships of reconciliation.

Give alms.

                Pray.

Fast.

       Don’t hoard stuff.

Give alms.

                        Pray.

                                    Fast.

                                                Share our stuff.

Given the current political, financial, and cultural state of the world…

            when I consider the many opportunities for reconciliation,

I find myself asking the question:

        How do I foster an open and generous heart?

One way to foster an open and generous heart is to create space to be present with God…

            and to listen.

Perhaps we could understand “fasting” as a way to declutter our lives

            in order to create space for God.

If we “fast” from all the “noise” around us…

            the pointing of the finger,

                        the speaking of evil,

                                    the eruptions of violence and dehumanization…

      then, perhaps, we can create space to be aware of God’s presence.

Instead of getting overwhelmed by the news…

            and filled with anxiety and anger…

      we can take time to be still

and sit in the presence of God.

If we “fast” from all the “stuff” in our lives…

            by giving to those in need,

       then we can share in God’s abundance and find healing for all.

So, then, fasting can be a way to open space in our lives

in order to pray and to give.

Give alms.

                        Pray.

                                    Fast.

                                                Share our stuff.

As I was thinking about our Lenten journeys,

            I came up with a Lenten slogan:

                        “Act local. Pray global.”

Some local Asheville businesses support what is called the “Go local” card.

The whole point of the “card” is to support local businesses.

The initial cost of the card ($25) goes to support local Asheville businesses.

Those businesses who participate have their own offerings:

            10% off your purchase.

                        Buy one, get one free.

                  Free drink when you buy a meal.

You get the idea.

But the point is to encourage folks to support local people.

So, I came up with the thought “Act local. Pray global.”

We probably can’t do much to solve the world’s problems,

            but we can certainly pray for people all over the world,

       including our local community.

While we may not be able to solve the world’s problems,

we can certainly take local actions to help folks in our community.

We can advocate for just policies and relationships.

            We can prepare and serve food for folks who are hungry.

                        We can donate to organizations who help those who are suffering.

       We can clean out our “stuff” to share what we no longer use or need and give it away.

And all of these actions,

            being rooted in the presence of God,

       provide avenues of reconciliation…

                    with God, with our neighbors, with ourselves, and with the whole of creation!

Perhaps some of our avenues of reconciliation will be on more of a personal level…

            realizing something we have said or done that has brought harm to another…

      and offering an apology and amendment of life.

Or, offering forgiveness to someone who has brought harm into our life.

Each of our journeys will be unique,

            just as we are uniquely created in the image of God.

I pray for each of us a holy journey…

            that we may be nourished by God’s presence,

                        able to provide healing for our community,

        and in the midst of all, find healing for ourselves.

Amen.