Ashes

“Why are you here,” asked the minister, as she began her Ash Wednesday homily. “Is it for the ashes?”

It was one of those set-up questions where she was going to challenge conventional thinking. Of course we came for the ashes. Having ashes placed on our foreheads, with the words “Thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return,” is the way we inaugurate Lent, the season when we reflect and realign our lives. Some, also give up chocolate.

As expected, she went on to point out that God really doesn’t care about such practices. Outward and visible signs get old for God. God’s more concerned with what's going on inside. In fact, in certain denominations, the scripture assigned to the Ash Wednesday service is all about not making a show of your religion. Even as a child, I was confused by the mixed messages.

Sitting there last night, though, I still knew the answer was “yes.” I did come for the ashes, but not the ones administered on my forehead. I came because of the ashes I’ve created. Whether through the fires of unkind thoughts or comments, self-centered behavior, or an overwhelming need to feel good-enough, I've left piles of ashes all over the place. We all have.

Lent is a time to admit what we have done or left undone, to look anew at the ways we have not lived the lives God hoped we might, and then turn our sight toward the end of the season where grace abounds. But last night, it was all about the ashes. They’re why I came.