Dusty

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  Genesis 2:7

you are dust,
   and to dust you shall return.  Genesis 3:19b

“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” In all my time as a pastor, I think these were some of the hardest words I ever had to say to people.  Every Ash Wednesday people would come forward in worship, hear these words and allow ashes to be smeared on their heads.  Parents would bring babies, and children. Husbands and wives, widows and widowers would come forth. Single people both young and old, the healthy and the ill:  would come forward for this powerful reminder of our human mortality. And every year there were those for whom that Ash Wednesday was their last.  Ash Wednesday is a time that is meant to break through our everyday plans and schedules and remind us that our time on this earth is also limited.

For those that live daily with constant reminders of the brokenness of our bodies, minds and even spirits, it is likely that we have stories of how we were reminded of our mortality and our own “dustiness” in very real ways.  Perhaps it was an emergency, or a car accident, or a diagnosis, or a surgery  or other experience that made us come face to face with the truth that our lives do not go on forever.

Today I invite us all to ponder that memory of a time we came face to face with our mortality. What was it like? What did it teach us?  What did we want to change about how we lived? What did we actually change about how we live?  What does it have to still teach us today in our relationship with ourselves, with others and with God?

I would also remind us all today that the word that ‘we are dust’  is NOT the last word.  You see, the ashes are put on in the sign of the cross.  The final word is that God, at great cost and with great love, has transformed the ending.  Those who trust in and call  upon the Lord will return to dust, but God has one more surprise after that…

Dear Lord, On this Ash Wednesday shape our hearts and actions by the reminder of our mortality. Comfort those who are close to death, and those who are present with them. When the time comes for our last hours draw us close to you and strengthen our faith.  Amen.