Lyndon Shakespeare, rector of Holy Comforter in Broomfield, Colorado. “It just might be that this Ash Wednesday, our ashes make it clear that our frail existence and our fragile environment are linked,” said the Rev. God promises us a future of reconciliation.
Blair Pogue, canon for vitality and innovation for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. “We are living in a tension between naming realities that separate us from God and neighbors, and the hope of new life with Christ,” said the Rev. The penitential and deeply reverent readings for Ash Wednesday resonate on many levels with an acute awareness of the day’s solemnity. Environmental issues, shootings, and civil unrest have added to a general sense of unease. The pandemic isn’t the only social concern affecting everyday lives. While 2022 will mirror 2021 in numerous aspects - regional restrictions, mask requirements, no or limited in-person gatherings - this year many seek a more reflective Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday 2022 marks another annual observance amid the COVID pandemic.