“ .. and to dust you will return .. “
The above quote is part of the Ash Wednesday service that I attended here in Elmira at St.James Lutheran Church, just last night. I did not grow up with such ritual, but I look forward to the service every year. The pastor dabs ash in the form of a cross across my forehead. I must get up from my pew, and go forward to offer myself to the action of the pastor .
The ritual, at least what I focus on for the service, is about my own death. The above quote from the service, reminds us that we have come from dust, at least according to the Genesis story of creation, and that is where our life will end. When I conduct a funeral, I say the words “ ashes to ashes, dust to dust , earth to earth. At the graveside, the words are to remind us of the finality of death to the person in the coffin. The words about returning to the earth and to dust are sorrowful words, they are about grief and tears.
Do you think about dying often ? And have you thought of it often, or it is really for older people. I am going to turn 60 this year. Because of my genetic ( it comes from my mom and dad) makeup, and my work as a pastor, I think that I think of death more often than other people. But, I do not know that for sure because I do not ask people about it. Do you think of your death once a week ?
The ritual of Ash Wednesday focuses on our own dying is counter intuitive to what God invites us to be about in our life, and especially for the days leading up to the Resurrection, Easter Sunday. The service talks about dying , so that we might live better in this world. If I am so sure that I am doing to die, as a matter of faith, it should allow me to live better . In my death , God will take care of me, so I do not have to worry. I should be more caring. I should be more compassionate. I should work everyday for justice and peace.
It is hard to be positive about our own passing from this life to the next. The bluegrass tune says it best, “ everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die” . It is our our human nature to want to continue in this place for as long as we can . Researchers say that we spend the most money on our own health care in the last six months of our lives. We do not want to give up. People do not like it when we give up any parts of our healing healthcare system
So, last evening, while sitting in the fourth pew from the front, I contemplated my death , so that I might live better. And it was Valentine's Day as well, so I thought I should love all my family more. And I should lead a life worth living of being a better person.
Since I am confident of my death, as I reflect on the ash on my forehead, I have faith that I can live life to the fullest in the presence of family, friends and God. Happy Ash Wednesday !
Fred Redekop
Ponder Anew 