St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Owings Mills MD
March 2, 2022
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 103:8-14
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Ashes of Grace
I guess about ten years ago now, lots of Episcopal churches began a new Ash Wednesday tradition: “Ashes to Go”
Because lots of people can’t or won’t come to our Ash Wednesday services, we decided to bring Ash Wednesday to the people.
So, since then, all across the church, including I’m told here at St. Thomas’, clergy and lay people have fanned out to train stations and bus stops, with signs announcing that ashes were available.
And because these days nothing really happens unless it’s posted on social media, there are always lots of Facebook photos of clergy and lay people ready to impose ashes on commuters and other passersby, ready to say those familiar words:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
At first, “Ashes to Go” did stir up a bit of controversy, with some arguing that it was a bad idea to separate the ashes from everything else we say and do in church on this day.
They suggested that just smudging ashes on foreheads and telling people that they were going to die did not make much sense, and was not particularly pastoral or even kind.
I understand those objections, and I even agree, somewhat.
But, since I like to try stuff, back in my former church in Jersey City, we did indeed offer “Ashes to Go.”
During both the morning and evening rush hours, a hearty little band of us would set up shop at a busy bus stop a few blocks from church.
I have to tell you, it was usually so cold and windy.
And as we stood there, offering ashes and a prayer card, people reacted in different ways.
Some people refused to make eye contact with us and others rolled their eyes at us.
Many people paid us no mind at all.
But, lots of people did stop and come up to us.
Some just out of curiosity, while others were grateful that they had this opportunity at the start or end of a busy day.
Sometimes they remembered us from previous years, like the two women who spotted us from across the street and ran across five or six busy lanes of traffic, just to get their ashes.
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Some people would hear those words and receive the ashes on their forehead and they would tear up and whisper words of gratitude, or “God bless you.”
Sometimes people would give a broad smile and be on their way.
To my surprise, even without everything that we say and do in church on this day, for these people it was a holy moment to be reminded that someday they would be dust.
Somehow, the ashes were ashes of grace.
How is this possible?
Well, you know, I’ve already officiated at many committals in our cemetery. And in most cases the deceased loved one has been cremated. And every single time, family members have held those cremains with so much love and tenderness.
Of course, right?
And, if that’s how we care for the ashes of those we love, how much more will God care for our dust?
That’s the grace of Ash Wednesday.
That’s the grace that the people at the busy bus stop somehow received and recognized.
And that’s the grace that I hope we will receive and recognize here today, and all throughout Lent, as we journey with Jesus to the cross and finally to the empty tomb.
As the Prophet Joel wrote long ago, God is gracious and merciful, always calling us back.
And so these ashes of grace are a reminder that God will never forget us, God will never let go of us, even when it looks like all hope is lost, even when all that seems to remain is dust.
Amen.
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