Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday reminds vain man
That each must slay false pride's ascend.
This day we note a pious practice
Once learnt by rote in simple gist.
Man is mere dust that is alive
In a brief trust, by grace to thrive.
An ancient lore bears repeating:
From times before, repentance flings.
Man is imaged in God's likeness,
In brief passage till end brightness.
A Christian rite and clear ritual,
Ash cross we write on head visual.
A sign to show we remember
The tact each knows from dust embers.
We come from dust, to dust return;
Life here is trust that love now churns.
This Lent we think upon the way;
The path that links tidings that stay.
Forty days we reflect on deeds,
Look deep to see, atone for weeds.
A change of heart and will and mind;
Let penance start to seek and find.
A change of pace and touch and feel;
To await grace to cleanse and heal.
A change of sight from earthly things;
To see new light, sense Spirit's sling.
We, each must pass from muddy stores
To pristine grass in soul's kind shores.
A certain call springs to each soul:
To bear and bring a new zest whole.
Here as we stand on thresholds clear,
Our Lenten trends groom faithful cheer.
Now each man frames the path to take;
Heed inner flame to rise awake.
Aware of need, each heeds belief,
Feel truth that seeds what soul perceives.
The Christ said: "Choose your new life..."
The road is made beyond man's strife!
The middle way is for all men:
Each soul must stay with inspired span.
Come then with heart attuned to grace,
Let each man start to live love's space.
Love calls to each to gather now;
To touch and reach to glimpse endow.
We, each must learn to love and act;
Love that we yearn answers love's pact.
From dust we come, to dust the end;
Live love's sweet sum in daily trend.
Leon Enriquez
18 Apr 2014
Singapore
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