Ash Wednesday

In churches all around the world, the sign of the cross is drawn with ashes on the foreheads of many Christians. It symbolises that our journey as human beings started with dust. Creation tells the story of how God takes dust, forms us, breathes his breath into our lungs and we become living souls.

How is it for you to hear, “you are dust”?

We could sigh and respond with a “Yes, I know. So don’t expect too much from me. I’ve had dreams, but they all came to nothing. I’ve made too many mistakes, hurt too many people. All hope is lost.“

On the other hand, we can answer with a determined “Yes, I know, but I’ll show you. I’ll make something of myself, build my own following and possess many things.”

Neither of these reactions speak to an understanding that dust can be good.

And yet, when God made man from dust, He said it was very good.

In Psalms 103:14, we read that God knows how we were formed and remembers that we are dust.

The words, “to dust you will return”, reminds us of our humanity, as we regularly choose to live unaware of it. The ashes and words of today serve as a reminder that we have limits and that our lives will end at some point.

Exercise:

Find a church close-by that has an Ash Wednesday service, so you can receive the sign of ash. Alternately, mix some ash with oil and draw a cross on the foreheads of yourself and your family members.

When you pray, think about where your life story started, even before you were born. Share these thoughts with God.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, give me the grace to accept that I am dust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.