A meditation for Ash Wednesday

Remember that you are dust—but dust beloved by God. You are dust into which God has breathed his Spirit, dust onto which God has stamped his image; and God said, "it is good."

Remember the dignity of your creation.

Remember that you are dust—but dust beloved by God. When we went astray, as dust will—when we quenched the Spirit that God had breathed into us, and defaced the image that he had stamped upon us—God did not abandon us. The Son of God stooped to share our dusty state, and tasted the death that is our lot, so that he might restore us to himself, so that we might be changed into his likeness from glory to glory.

Remember the cost of your redemption.

Remember that you are dust—but dust beloved by God. You are dust that God has raised to new life through the sacrament of new birth, incorporating you into Christ's body, the Church, and making you one of his chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people.

Remember the glory of your baptism.

Remember that you are dust—and to dust you shall return. But even when you return to dust, you will still be dust beloved by God. And in his love he will again breathe life into that dust, and stamp it again with his image, and draw you into the heavenly City, the new Jerusalem.

Remember the promise of your eternal destiny.

Remember that you are dust—and to dust you shall return.

Remember the dignity of your creation. Remember the cost of your redemption. Remember the glory of your baptism. Remember the promise of your eternal destiny.

Remember.