Memento Mori -- Remember you are Dust

I once heard a story that captured my attention--and has continued to come back to mind again and again. (1)

There was a Roman general parading through the streets after a victory.  Standing behind him was his slave who had been commissioned to remind the general that, although triumphal today, tomorrow he could fall or be brought down.  The servant is thought to have conveyed this with the warning, "Memento mori."  Latin = Remember that you will die. (2)

[Gulp] The ultimate reality check.

I have been thinking about how something similar happens during the beginning of the Lent journey. As an act of humility and seeking forgiveness (being cleansed) before God a person bows their head and ashes are smeared on their forehead, often in the shape of a cross.  These words are normally spoken to the recipient at this time, "From dust you came... and to dust you shall return."  In some traditions there is a response that is then given, "Yes, but by the cross of Christ I am alive!"  This day is called Ash Wednesday.

Unique Object Lesson
Last year I received a unique object lesson. I was asked to assist with Ash Wednesday services for hundreds of hospital employees, family members, and patients who would not be able to attend church services that day. I was asked to bring some extra ashes to ensure we had enough to share with those who desired to receive them.

Now, like you, I didn't keep spare ashes laying around my house--so I called one of my pastors and inquired about this. Pastor Marta assured me that the church had ashes they could share. She said she would leave them for me at the front desk. I thanked her and said I would pick them up the next morning on my way to the hospital. Simple enough, it seemed.

Early the next morning I received a text from Intern Pastor Kaitlyn who had arrived at the church before I did.  

"Are you ok?"  She asked.  

"Yes."  I texted back. "Why?"  

I paused to wait for her response.   

Then I received a text with an attached photo.  

I opened the attached file...was momentarily confused...and then laughed out loud! 

"Ellysia's Ashes" the sticky note said, and it was affixed to a quart-size Ziploc bag filled with black ashes. That set off a whole chain of texts back and forth between the two of us. She said she was glad that I was alive.  I remarked that although I wanted my funeral to be a simple one--I wasn't sure I had "Ziploc simple" in mind.

We laughed about this again when I arrived at church to pick up "my ashes".  But it was an odd feeling to actually hold the baggie in my hands and observe my name on them.  I continued to look at it with mixed feelings as it sat on the passenger seat while I drove to the hospital that morning.  It stayed with me during the day when I participated in the Ash Wednesday experience with others.  It made me think hard... and I have continued to process this over time.  I actually pinned the empty baggie to my office bulletin board at the end of the day so I could continue to ponder the meaning and image.

I know from the realities of life that cremated ashes are not black like these burnt palm branches.  Cremated ashes appeared to me to be more gray in color and more sandy in texture.  When my friend's mother transitioned to life eternal, her ashes were lovingly spread by family and friends into the earthen soil of a rose garden amongst the red blooms.  "To dust you shall return"-- it was a peaceful moment and somehow just felt right.  

This very real image of "my" own ashes in a Ziploc bag, the observation of life with others, and the words spoken on Ash Wednesday speak to me in so many ways...

Do you remember that were originally made from the dust of the ground?(Genesis 1:7)  How often you seem to forget your humble beginning when you start having inflated thoughts about yourself. 

You think you are invincible? Your life is only a vapor--a breath--and it will be over.  (James 4:14)   Live it well... live it in the freedom of Jesus Christ...live with love...live with purpose...live.     

Your body will not last forever... take care of this gift of life that God has given to you.  But remember that one day you will return to the dust when you die and your soul will go on without the need for the fleshly shell.  

Reflection
Morbid thoughts?  Maybe in some ways.  I'm not sure I am ready see people walking around in present society with hired helpers calling out to them "memento mori".  But perhaps coming face-to-face with reality serves as a good reminder of what is true and we often try to ignore.

I know that after holding a baggie of ashes with my name on in it, I was stirred and deeply humbled.  It helped me serve others on that Ash Wednesday by fully identifying with our common humanity, the need we all have, and remembering the bigger meaning of why we do what we do and believe what we believe.

I find it is beneficial to remember that I am human and that I will not live forever.  I need to continually humble myself before God by not only bowing my head... but also by bowing my heart...and my mind... and my will.  I need to continually seek to be made new and to be cleansed--to remember that ashes were signs of mourning and repentance.  And I soooo need to receive a fresh start each time I fail or stumble.  This is not just on Ash Wednesday or during Lent... but on each and every day that I draw breath and walk this earthly life.

But God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.  1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Ellysia and friends, Lucy and Kaye, on Ash Wednesday (3)

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Notes:

1.  I first heard this story while a student in Dr. Nate Feldmeth's Church History class at Fuller Theological Seminary.

2.  It is further possible that the servant may have instead advised, "Respice post te! Hominem te esse memento! Memento mori!": "Look behind you! Remember that you are a man! Remember that you'll die!", as noted by Tertullian in his Apologeticus.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori

3.  Some people have asked about how I and others received such a clear cross symbol on Ash Wednesday.  While some church traditions only use their fingers to administer ashes, at the hospital we sometimes use a cross stamp. There are less loose ashes to interfere with patient care and cleanliness.  It certainly also presents a clear outward symbol of my inward faith.

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A few additional thoughts if you choose to read on... 

The most common comment I heard on Ash Wednesday while wearing ashes or offering ashes to others was, "Are you Catholic?" I normally responded with something like, "I am Christian. And today I am joining numerous others around the world who are also commemorating this special day."

I, like many, did not grow up practicing Lent.  Until recent years it seemed a bit odd to me as an outsider. The change came when I was encouraged to try it out and experience it for myself. And in going and seeing, I discovered an intentional way that helps me reflect on the deeper meaning of my faith. It serves as a catalyst to slow the Easter season down and be able to think deeply about the meaning. It helps me arrive on Easter morning with a fuller context and expectation after having journeyed thoughtfully and reflectively. And I have found that it makes the Easter morning celebration all that more special.  I have also discovered that participating in Lent has made me more reflective in common days and brought broader meaning to the daily practice of my faith.

Lent is not just for one denomination, one country, or any particular group of people. It is a shared experience by the global followers of Jesus and the tradition has roots back to early Christianity.

Lent = spring, or idea of new beginning/renewal

Ashes = sign of mourning, grieving, distress and humility.  In historic times ashes were also used in making soap and thus a symbol of washing and cleansing.  

40 Day Journey =  the idea of "40" and journey/pilgrimage shows up in the Bible, especially when thinking about Jesus spending 40 days in the desert before the start of his active ministry.   

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent.  The season of journey continues for 40 days (not counting Sundays which are always celebration days--the day Jesus rose from the dead).  The season of Lent concludes on Easter morning with a grand celebration of Jesus' resurrection.

During Lent many people choose to give up something or take on something.  Traditional ways included fasting, intentional time for prayer, and giving of alms (gifts to the poor, acts of charity, involvement in justice).  Some choose to give up things: bad habits, unhealthy living, chocolate, etc.  Some choose to take on new things: spiritual disciplines, more time for prayer and bible reading, or perhaps things like new habits, more rest, celebration, etc.

Oh and one more thing... you can always begin a journey with Jesus even if you did not participate in Ash Wednesday or start on the first day of Lent.  Begin today or perhaps begin again today.

Additional "food for thought":

How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God

“Umm, I didn’t ask you to give up coffee. I asked you to surrender your life.” – God

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