This year, I am reading “Celtic Lent: 40 days of devotions to Easter” by David Cole. I’m also considering Sister Monica Clare’s meditations through episcopalrelief.org/lent – all with Romans 12:1-2 and Micah 6:8 in mind.

Today, Ash Wednesday, begins a period of switchbacks – becoming willing to enter a focused and intentional space of letting go, letting God transform, and letting new life spring forth. It’s easier to write than to do, trust me.

Just so you know, I hold tight to Genesis 1:26-27 – I am created in the image of God. Yet, living in a world of choice, as we do, I have also been formed by ideas, words, systems, and actions that are against God’s dream for humanity – many pre-dating written human histories. So – practicing Lent invites me into a space of recognizing where my formation and current life choices stand against God’s best for me and guiding me toward different and corrective choices.

Given that I was created from dust and will return to dust, I want to make the most of my time here to emerge into my true self. And this saying – ashes to ashes, and dust to dust takes on a new meaning when reading “Celtic Lent.”

According to Cole, the ancient Irish retelling of Adam’s creation included seven facets of creation – not just dust. Totally fits with how all of nature fits into a Celtic worldview – pre-Christian and since. Cole lists these seven – earth, sea, sun, clouds, wind, stones, and the light of the world. I’ll take that over dust any day. And how sorrowful I am to realize that humans choose such things that deal death to God’s creation – not just each of us humans, but all seven facets.

Lent points me to own my part of harming creation, ask for forgiveness and grace, make amends, and change not only my choices but my framework. That is repentance. That is Lent. And it is a helluva switchback.

Sister Clare came to a similar conclusion from Luke 18:11-13 – and shared how a 12 step inventory is similar. My background in Al-Anon rings true with her thoughts – am I willing and able to look at my life choices today, celebrate the ones that honor God’s love and peace and correct (with divine help) the ones that don’t?

I leave you with this prayer this first day of Lent 2026 …

May earthen warmth comfort
waving seas wash
sun beams invigorate
cloudy days cradle
breathy winds clear
foundation stones anchor
As the light of the world resurrects us