My ashes blew away.

That Ash Wednesday was a blustery day. I had agreed to do “drive by ashes” for those wanting to receive the Imposition of Ashes. I had ample ashes to do the “drive by ashes” from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. I had the ashes on a flat dish. These ashes were a bit dryer than I like my ashes. Like gumbo in Louisiana, there are all sorts of recipes for the ashes used on Ash Wednesday. Some are very moist and very dark, almost like graphite. Other ashes are dry and gray in color. Our ash maker made some very dry ashes this year.

The morning passed without incident. People would drive up. I would walk the ashes out to their car. They would get out of the car, and I would say “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe the gospel.” I made the sign of the cross on their foreheads with the ashes. Because the ashes were dry, the finished product looked more like a smudge than the cross. I knew the recipe needed modification prior to the evening service.

As the morning progressed the wind picked up. One family pulled up and I imposed the ashes on them. They had their pet dog in the car and asked if he could get “ashed” on Ash Wednesday. I’m such a dog fan that I gave the pooch the full treatment. The dog didn’t get ashes, but I laid hands on him and blessed him. They got back in the car and drove off. They told me later the dog seemed to be calmer.

As I walked back into the church I looked down at my ashes. They had blown away. I told you those ashes were dry. I was thankful that I was at the end of my allotted time.

I bring this up because Ash Wednesday is on Valentine’s Day this year. That is always a tough call for those of you who have decided to fast from chocolate during Lent. Many of you will participate in an Imposition of Ashes service. The service is to remind us of our nature. We are dust and to dust we shall return.

It is a solemn and humbling service to officiate. I am reminded that I am mortal. I’m reminded that my friends, whom I love, are also mortal. I really don’t want to think about that. One day, we all end up like my Ash Wednesday ashes: blown away.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. The season of Lent calls us to repentance and preparation for Easter.

The risen Christ of Easter is our seal and promise that Jesus’ followers have eternal life. What seems blown away here on earth is gathered in eternity and made whole and fully alive in Christ. We start with ashes; we end with an empty tomb. It is the amazing story of One who overcame death and the grave and promises to do the same for us.
We tell the story every year because it is still true.

I’m blown away thinking about it.