Changing Hearts

Sacred practice and prayers for Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday welcomes careful reflection on what it means to be human. We wrestle with our own mortality and our inability to be God. Neither is easy.

We might like more control or believe that we can guard our hearts from the inevitable. It's a day to check in and explore how it is in our hearts especially when this holy day coincides with the celebration of Saint Valentine.

This strange observance does indeed stem from a saint who risked the faith that there could be more love in the world. You can find a brief theology of the holiday here.

It may have been a very, very, very long time since you have made yourself a valentine or even sent one to a loved one but as the season of Lent begins and you dare to imagine what love can do, I offer you this simple invitation to make a valentine for your own heart and soul. It will involve some materials but hopefully you already have glue, scissors, some paper and an old magazine on hand.