Last night we began our Lenten journey. Rev. James and I stood together in the worship space and reminded the congregation at Bethesda of the famous words:
"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Over the years, I have said these words many times to God's people. Each time I say them, I make the sign of the cross in ashes on the foreheads of the church that God calls me to serve. This year's practice was a bit different. It was time for a new bowl of ashes to be used.
Dipping my finger into the bowl I ground the ashes between my index finger, my thumb, and my middle finger. As I did this, I could feel the grit working its way into my pores. As each person came forward to receive the Ashes of Ash Wednesday, I greeted them with a gentle smile and made the sign of the cross on them. . . 'Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return," I said.
They gently smiled back at me and then returned to their seats.
It was towards the end of the procession that I noticed how black my fingers were growing.
Internally smiling, I wished for a damp cloth to wipe my hands clean because Rev. James had a prayer, a song still to lead us in, and then his final blessing. I knew I that my hand would be dirty for a while and I did not want to touch too many things and spread ashes on myself.
I returned to my seat and examined my now blackened fingers wondering what lesson God was trying to teach me. There was nothing to do with my fingers but notice how the grey/black ash had taken over three of my five fingertips.
The song sheet that I was given took on some of the black from the ashes. The pages of my Book of Common Worship adopted some of the black as well as I followed along in worship. With each thing I touched, the black came off a little bit until my hands were lightening a little.
I learned something personal last night that I will attempt to carry with me throughout Lent about presence.
As you begin Lent, I wonder what lesson God is teaching you?
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