Gather Before the Altar

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Each time we gather before the altar to celebrate the eucharist, we proclaim that we “lift up our hearts.” As we do so, I am reminded of the great cloud of witnesses that we join into. We gather at this table with the giants of the faith’s past, the saints of our present, and even those only known to God in the future, to celebrate this most sacred meal. It is with all of those voices throughout time and space that at the conclusion of the prayers, we proclaim “Amen!” I am thankful for all those voices yet realize how easily they can go unnoticed. 

Over the course of this Lenten journey, it is my prayer that you will feel surrounded and impacted by the great cloud of witnesses writing this devotional blog each day. That together we might use our voices to proclaim the many ways in which Christ is at work in our hearts and in our lives. We know that God’s Spirit is not contained within the walls of the Church, or the mouths of the clergy. So, I invite you to listen to the ways God is speaking through our sisters and brothers in Christ, and perhaps how God might even be speaking to you throughout this Lenten Season. 

-Fr. Michael Sahdev

Let us pray…

God of ashes, through our blackened foreheads
and broken hearts, proclaim to the world that we are
not alone. Make us witnesses of grieving well.
Open our hands and hearts to hold one another's
brokenness until we are ready to turn it over to you,
for healing and new life. Amen.