Most that received ashes heard these words, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” I’ve said those words, years ago, when participating in an Ash Wednesday service as one of several clergy with the task of marking foreheads. It is humbling to remind persons of any age that humanity was created from the dirt especially when you know that some are closer to physical death than others. I think of our mortality as a gift rather than a punishment, but that is a topic for another post.
I decided to honor what I think the spirit of the tradition is about, and altered my language for those that received ashes at Broad Street Christian Church on Wednesday. “Remember you are dust created in the image of God, and you are a disciple of Jesus.” That didn’t appear in the bulletin. I think it is a message that can help our protestant expression of Christian faith be revived, again; and evolve into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 2.0.
The last time I led or participated in an Ash Wednesday service was 1999. Last night was the first time I have ever offered the homily as part of an Ash Wednesday service. I am serving as part-time interim minister at Broad Street Christian Church in Martinsville, VA. My service began two weeks before Christmas. It is an honor and pleasure to journey with them. Click here to download the bulletin from last night. Click here to download the homily.
From the Bulletin
This is the invitation to the Lenten journey. To: prepare, reconcile, repent, seek and gift mercy, mortality, know yourself, prayer, fasting, deny yourself, read scripture, listen, silence, dust, ashes, kneel . . . now. God’s vision for creation is revealed in the life and teachings of Jesus, whom we call Christ. During Lent ask yourself, “How well is that vision revealed in my life?”
From the Homily
I think the Lenten season is a reminder that a journey with Jesus meanders. We want the certainty of a straight and quick trip. But, I think that is not the way of lent. It is a map with partial trails marked, arrows, landmarks, and few written directions. Marked on the map are wells where strangers meet and draw water for one another, water front property can become teaching space, and dusty roads are places where Samaritans live the commandments.