Thou Art Dust
Thou Art Dust
“Remember, O man, that dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return.”
These somber words are accompanied by the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful. The ashes remind us that we are sinners and we are dying: "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
This Lenten refrain is, of course, drawn from the Words of Holy Scripture: "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Genesis 3:19). These words were spoken by God to the First Adam on the day he and his wife Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden.
For on the day when they ate of the fruit, death entered into the world. And this curse fell upon all who are members of Adam's kind: the Race of Man. "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." These Words echo from the very beginning of this world's existence, down through the ages. And they ring in our ears once more, calling us to turn from our sinful way and live.
But where are we mortal men to turn? Who can save us from the death brought about by our sin? Thanks be to God that He has sent His only-begotten Son, the Second Adam to die that we might live. Romans 6:23 continues with these wonderful words: "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This is why the ashes are imposed in the shape of the Holy Cross. For it is on the tree of the cross that Christ won our salvation. And three days later, He rose again from the dead that we too might become partakers of His everlasting life.
In Holy Baptism, Jesus has joined us to Himself. Through this cleansing flood, He drowns our sins and gives us His perfect righteousness, and promises us a resurrection like His.
And in the Holy Eucharist, Christ has made us partakers of His divine nature. For as we eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of the Incarnate God, He gives us eternal life and promises to raise us up on the Last Day.
So as we journey on our pilgrim way, through this world and even in death's dark valley, we remember that He who is the Light of Light has scattered the darkness of sin, death and the devil for us. Our Good Shepherd walks with us; we need not fear any evil.
It is with this comfort that we begin our Lenten journey of contemplating the depths of Christ's love for us. And with repentant joy, we remember our Lord's suffering and death, which brought us redemption.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
To Jesus Christ, our God and Lord be all glory, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
