Some years ago a friend and I published a little book on the Christian Year.  I wrote poems about the days of the year which mark the Christian calendar.  One such poem was entitled ‘Ash Wednesday’.  Not a very original title, was it?  But perhaps in spite of that, it will help you to consider today, just what is signified by the crosses of ash.  May God bless you this Ash Wednesday, whether you attend a traditional service or not as you begin your journey into Lent with Him.

Ash Wednesday

Ash and dust – blown across the land by the wind,

The breath of God,

Darkening the sky, deadening the sun,

Filling the days with gloom and shadow,

Hiding the glory of sunlight.

Dust and ash – symbolic of our human sin

The curse of man,

Darkening our days, severing our joy,

Tainting our lives with gloom and shadow,

Hiding the glory of God’s light.

Ash and dust – sign of a cross on our foreheads,

The hope of man,

Generating sorrow, prompting repentance,

Tinting our lives with a sunbeam,

Revealing the glory of God’s love.

Dust and ash – from last year’s palm crosses,

The love of God,

Brightening our lives, engendering hope,

Filling our days with love and light,

Leading to eternal life.