"Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." These words are heard today by millions of Catholics and Anglicans and Episcopalians across the globe. As I go forward to receive the sign of the cross in ashes upon my forehead I consciously touch the bracelet containing some of my mom's ashes and am struck again by another saying in the book of common prayer "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." A friend who recently lost her daughter posted on Facebook that someone told her "It won't be this way forever." To which her response was simply to turn to the urn containing her daughter's ashes. During Lent we commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent wandering in the desert. He was challenged by Satan at every point. Grief is like that time wandering in the desert. We're like Jesus just minding our own business and like Satan grief comes out of the shadows to attack. The thing is unlike Jesus we never truly get out of the desert. We will find an OASIS where for a while we will feel peace and even joy for a time. Then other times like Adam and Eve, we're kicked out of the garden of eden and returned to the desert of grief in hopes of finding another oasis and maybe getting to stay a little bit longer each time. So this Lenton season I encourage you to reach out to people you love and who love you. Tomorrow is not promised. Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.
No comments:
Post a Comment