Lenten Journey: Between the Dust and Ashes

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Reading from the Psalms

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever you had formed the earth,

From everlasting to everlasting You are God.

You turn us back to dust, and say, ‘Turn back, you mortals.’

For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday

When it is past, or like a watch in the night.

You sweep them away; they are like a dream.

Like grass that is renewed in the morning;

In the morning it flourishes and is renewed;

In the evening it fades and withers.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me

Bless God’s holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God’s benefits.

Who forgives all your iniquity,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit.

Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

Who satisfies you with good as long as you live,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is your steadfast love toward those who honor you.

As far as the east is from the west,

So far you remove our transgressions from us.

As parents have compassion for their children,

So you have compassion for those who honor you.

For you know how we were made;

You remember that we are dust.

(from Psalms 90 and 103)

Message

Ashes and dust. Hearing that these compose

Our beginnings and our endings is sobering for us.

But really, this helps us keep our lives in perspective.

The space between the dust and ashes is our life,

Embraced and energized by the steady,

Strong love of God.

What will we do with this space between dust and ashes?

How will we spend our time on this Lenten journey

That leads to the cross, and beyond it to the empty tomb?

The expression “give it up for Lent” is a familiar one.

I propose that there is more to life than what we give up.

The impulse to give something up comes from a desire

To make more space in our lives.

I am asking you today to find something in your life

To give up for this Lenten journey,

But not to stop there.

I ask you to lay down something,

And then to determine what you will pick up

In its place.

What service or devotion will you add to your life

In this season of waiting and preparation?

I invite you to find the slip of paper you received

On coming in this morning,

And to fill in both sides, the ‘lay down’ and the ‘pick up’.

Infuse your life with meaning in the time between dust and ash.

When you are ready, come receive ashes on your forehead or hand

As a reminder of your commitment to fully live each day.

Blessing

“You are ash, beginning to end. Live for Christ.”