Lent

Today we begin our Lenten journey, so here is the collect for Ash Wednesday to get us thinking. "Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we worthily acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen." BCP 1662 The language of 1662 is much earthier and less tactful than most contemporary liturgy and so it has a tendency to make us sit up and think about who we are and what we are about as we begin this holy season.