Ash Wednesday Sermon, The Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche: "Repent, Revise, Renew: The Promise of Ash Wednesday"

As paintings age, sometimes the paint on the canvas becomes transparent making it possible to see the original lines underneath. “This is called ‘pentimento’ because the painter repented and changed his mind,” preaches the Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop of New York.

The metaphor of this replaced "ghostlike shadow" is apt for Ash Wednesday as it is a day we come, penitent, to lay bare our sins before God. All Christians are called this day to look within, admit our failings, resolve to "paint out that which came before," and recreate ourselves anew. "That amendment of life, that turning toward God and desire to be absolved, is the promise and possibility of this day; that lives of godly discipleship are possible even for the fallen.”

The readings are Joel 2:1–2, 12–17; Psalm 103; 2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10; and Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21.