Well it is Ash Wednesday. So I was wondering how many ash-wearing Christians will walk around town still set on trashing and ridiculing and persecuting hijab-wearing, praying-five-times-a-day Muslims - for displaying their faithfulness. Or do we Christians remember that the cross - yes, the one smudged on foreheads this day - reminds us of the life we are called to live - a life that has a history of being contrary to the rule of law and the rule of the land. The empire still rules and the way of the cross still is meant to lead us to another way of being humanity - together as one - one no matter how we differ.
I must say that the above bit of an introduction is really meant to move me on to other images of Ash Wednesday. It is new among some Christian communities that a person can simply drive-by or drive-through an Ash dispensing station at a local congregation - for we are so busy to hear the story and gather with others and take part in the meal that defines for us the life that is possible as we face the ashes of lives every day. We are the ones who are also the people who wear the cross as jewelry or a tattoo or trace it on our body before stepping up to bat or after we have had a hell of a good run or tossed and inspired touchdown pass. Could we be taking another step toward a more consumer-friendly portrayal of a life that - in its attempts to be made acceptable - has lost its Way? Have you noticed that there is more interest among Christians in making sure we say God blessing America or put prayer in schools or keeping fear-based additions in the Pledge of Allegiance than having us take sides with the victims of the systems that are all around us. The machinery of the culture makes fools of all of us. I find that painful and also the inspiration to remember throughout the day these piercing words: Get behind me satan.
What were the ashes of Jesus' day? Hmmm.
The burning of animals in the Temple? The trashing of the ones upon whom the religious ones of the day determined were dirty - sinners - ones to be left out and reduced to nothing. I suppose we could say that - to a point. The religious system was as much a power of constructing a biased culture as was the empire. The culture had ways of trashing and torching anything that was not in line with the contrived peace of the day. Both - religion and culture - we might be able to say, build themselves up on the ashes they produce.
BUT, I would suggest that the ashes of Jesus' day was the movement - the actions - the unbounded compassion - the self-sacrifice that did not go along with how power is so willing to dispose of people. Ashes have a walk - a talk - a touch - a song - a dance - that brings liberation to those bound up and hope to those who are about to put an end to their day and food to those whose hunger devastates generations and justice to those who are trampled by the fears of the powerful and privileged.
When one lives within the breath of such a life - the Spirit of such a life - the Reign of God at hand kind of life, there will be ashes. The followers of Jesus may get burned - by the religious and imperial powers of today. The followers of Jesus may also find that as we face the ashes of our lives, we may become for others - the inspiration for the Way of life we say we follow. This is not a convenient life. Although, I suppose, it is utterly convenient because each moment becomes an opportunity to act in the name of the Christ. Though I would post a warning that this kind of moment to moment convenience to enter into and walk within the Reign of God is full of moment to moment consequences. If you want to see an example of this, read the opening chapters of Marks gospel. Notice how things are done immediately - one right after the other - every day - every movement that is conveniently in front of Jesus is taken up and he has to deal with the crap that is thrown at him by all the good folks - even to the point that they determine they must stop him - make ashes of him.
To conclude, you must know that this rant comes from someone who has always seen himself as a coward - on so many levels. That is because it is real. And yet, the fire that threatens to burn us will not consume us - be not afraid. I have to wrestle with ashes and dust and the reality that it doesn't matter if my life gets blown away like ashes and dust - yet, fear still abounds. Therefore, I need you to live out in front of me showing me how to be truly human - in the image of God - that no fire can destroy. When we think we can drive by or drive through the way ashes mark our lives, we fool ourselves again. That seems to be part of our history. If you 'do ashes' this year, go and hear the story - eat the Meal - sit and sing with the other pile of ashes around you. If you cannot, mark your life with ashes.
TRRR
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