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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.”
