Man Remember You Are Dust – Ash Wednesday Message

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season for 2012, and God has been merciful to us by sparing our lives to see yet another Lent.  But He reminds us that we cannot and should not continue living aimless lives outside of Him.  Today’s first reading tells us, ” Even now,” says the LORD in today’s first reading,  “even now, after playing your mass and behaving in ways that displeased me; even now, come back to me with all your heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning for your sins; rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.  For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.  Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing, offerings and libations for the LORD, your God.” “Even now,” says the Lord.

Many of us will go to Ash Wednesday celebrations in our parishes and will receive ashes.  When we do, we will hear the words, “remember man you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  This is meant to jolt us into the reality that someday, someday this life as we know it will be over, and then we will have to give an account for how we used the precious gift of life that was given to us.   Did we squander it?  Did we abuse the Mercy of God?  Did we seek to do God’s will?  When asked to give an account of your life, what will your response be?  Even though God is Mercy, He is also judge and a just one at that.