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Ash Wednesday Sermon February 10 2016
Trinity Church, Newport, RI
The Reverend Alan Neale
“If God made it, He loves it”
Some years ago I took up canvas, needle and thread and began to needlepoint. The unique joy of creating something that I could then present to a friend was unexpected. By sharing in the creation of a belt, a cushion or whatever something of me was in that creation and that I shared with another.

About two years ago I began a cushion for dear friends that depicted a famous scene in Ireland; upon completion I had to admit it was quite awful… instead of an idyllic Irish harbor scene it looked like aliens had descended upon a strangely colored land. But I still loved it and soon I hope it will find its way to its intended recipients.

I had made it, put time and energy into its creation, and I could not discard nor dislike it.

Our Lenten collect begins with a striking phrase that should be at the core of our incarnational theology and our attitude towards all created things. “Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made…”. Forgive the quintessentially English double negative to say something positive; those Brits are such hesitant souls.

But there you have it… nothing we have done or even plan to do, nothing that we have been or are at this moment can prevent God from loving and cherishing us. Do you believe it?
The Lenten journey may be described as the journey to be “reconciled to God”, to the authentic image of God. The God of reconciliation not alienation. The God of grace not of condemnation. The God of the sacred present moment not some distant blessing. The God who, as Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel, is our Father/Mother not our distant uncle nor disinterested judge.

This Sunday, at 9am, I introduce/reintroduce the medieval mystic Julian of Norwich to our Adult Study Class. Julian wrote that God sees us as perfect and waits for the day when human souls mature so that evil and sin will no longer hinder us.

This Lent, I pray that you and I will take time to be reconciled to the image that God sees as He looks at us; and the authentic image we must reclaim of God as Jesus presents Him to us.

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in me a new and contrite hearts, that worthily lamenting my sins and acknowledging my wretchedness, I may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.