Preparing for Easter - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

In fasting, in praying
in the mark of the ashes
preparing for Easter
in penitent submission

No longer the babe of Advent
the child of Christmas
the one of Epiphany

Not even the man,
living in Nazareth
the one who called
the fisherman from the sea,
come, follow me

The son, the fulfillment
the Messiah illumined
the one shining on the mountain
heading to Jerusalem

This is the Christ,
the one who now is risen
But remembering the days
leading up to the cross

Our sin too apparent,
our lives slowing
bowing in prayer
at the foot of the cross

Trying each year
to be mindful of his sacrifice
to conform our lives
to the way of the cross

More humbly,
a servant, listening to the spirit
trying our best
to become more like Christ

Our savior triumphing
even with our sins upon him
going to the cross
but rising from the grave
Turning our eyes
our lives toward the Christ-child
reliving the final days
of his life here on earth

February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday
burning the palms, making the ashes
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
&
Joel 2:12-17a
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Ephesians 3:14-21
and Ash Wednesday Meditation
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
of last year, February 25, 2009

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.