Ashes Represent Mortality
It's Ash Wednesday, and we have prepared ourselves for this day by speaking of the ashes symbolising repentance and purification. Now let's note that the ashes you receive today also represent mortality.
The phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" is used in funerals worldwide. It comes from the funeral service in the Book of Common Prayer, and it is based on two main verses in Genesis: God, in Genesis 3:19 says "dust you are and to dust you will return". Abraham, in Genesis 18:27 says "I am nothing but dust and ashes".
In my time in the ministry I have never done a funeral at a graveside. In the English culture of South Africa, the norm now is to do a memorial service, and receive the ashes of your loved one rather than burying their body. That's quite okay, there's no right or wrong way to do it, in my opinion.
But a little while back I went to a funeral out in Standerton, and after the church service we all drove behind the hearse to the graveyard, and watched as the coffin was dropped into the ground and covered by dirt. I must admit - it was a striking moment for me. The reality of death struck me in a way that memorial services never really have.
Facing the Reality of Death
I wonder if we as a society have removed ourselves too far from the reality of death. Death is a taboo isn't it? It's too morbid to talk of it, so we avoid it. Yet we all live in its shadow every day.
Moses, the great man of God, wrote Psalm 90. In it he said two things that I think go hand-in-hand: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom… Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90:12, 14)
I love that! Teach us to number our days. Remind us that our days are short. We don't want to pretend that death isn't close to each of us. In the meantime, satisfy us with Your love so we can sing and be glad all of our days.
Acknowledging death as close and numbering our days means we can live more passionately and sing of God's love all the more gladly, knowing that our time is short.
Living Passionately in Light of Eternity
Today as you receive the ashes, be humbled. Think to yourself: I am dust, and to dust I will return. Think to yourself: my time is short. Life goes very quickly. I might not be here this time next year.
Determine, as you feel those ashes on your head, to live life to the full. While you still can.
It’s Ash Wednesday, and as we begin Lent today, let’s consider how we are nothing but dust and ashes ourselves.