Ashes

Before I start mixing palm ashes and olive oil to the perfect texture for marking foreheads with a deep black cross, I pray.


For some this might not be a big surprise, pastors always pray, right?

Well, you would think so. But, the reality is, just like everyone else, a pastor can get distracted by busy work that at the time seems more important than prayer: fixing a bulletin, answering the phone, responding to email, encouraging the person who just dropped by, developing a lesson plan, forming an agenda, etc. For some reason, we all fall into the same sinful trap of busyness (business?). We somehow think that our busyness is the important thing. 

Then we are confronted with ashes.

It is no secret as to why we begin the Lenten season with ashes. It is a way to shock the system into the true reality, the reality that is of God. We are creatures who will die just like every other creature. We are no different. The homeless schizophrenic has the same future as the President of these United States. There is an immense humbling that has to take place for us to give up the plastic world we call 'reality' and embrace the skin carapace that will rot someday.

It is no wonder so many avoid this day. Who wants to be reminded that they are dirt? Who wants to be reminded that they will die?

And so I pray before I mix the ashes and olive oil to the perfect texture for marking foreheads. I pray:

Lord God, thank you for marking us with the cross of Christ at our baptisms. But this day I pray to help those who will be scored with these ashes to give up their old Adams and their old Eves and live without fear, anger, hostility, paranoia, or antipathy. Help us embrace the works of the spirit instead: courage, joy, friendship, love, and sympathy. In the name of the one who overcame death for our sake, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.