Sermons (Page 144)

Chances are that at some point in your life you will feel overwhelmed. For some it might result from a health condition or financial difficulties. For others the death of a loved one or a life transitions, like buying a house of having a baby or getting married. Some will hit that overwhelmed point with relationship problems, a demanding career, sleep deprivation, or a trauma like rape or abuse. It’s possible that one of these things alone might be manageable – like a demanding career – until you’re raising a child, the bank account is dwindling, and you get a dreaded diagnosis on top of that demanding career.

Tomorrow is officially two months away from the tax filling deadline. As this deadline approaches this year, a large number of people will be in shock. No, it won’t be a bigger-than-expected refund. No, it won’t be a larger-than-expected payment. In fact, they will find that someone else using their identity has already filed their taxes. Sources say that identity theft and tax fraud are on the rise this year. In today’s reading from Luke we see a biblical version of identity theft.

“This year Ash Wednesday is early. It feels so early. We are still cleaning up after Super Bowl parties and Valentine’s Day is yet to come. Then, in the middle of it all, Ash Wednesday grabs our attention. For me it feels a bit unexpected and abrupt. I’m not quite ready for it. But ready of not, here it is! Today we walk around with ashes smudged on our foreheads. People line up in droves at “L” stations, schools, hospitals, and churches to be reminded that they are dust. One day a year Christianity collectively remember our mortality and death.”