Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. These words open our Palm Sunday liturgy each year. The service begins with the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. People were waving branches and shouting to celebrate his arrival. We know that the path before him led to self-giving, suffering, and death. In remembrance we wave our palms and then bring them home where they serve as an ongoing connection to our faith.
The palms remain in our homes throughout year becoming drier but remaining intact. Even as the colour fades, we know what they are. Each time we look at them, we are reminded of Jesus’ journey to the cross. As Lent approaches, we are encouraged to return the palms to the church, and they are burned to make the ashes that are used on Ash Wednesday when we acknowledge that we are dust and to dust we shall return.
Palms to ashes is a profound symbol of faith. We know that life ends in decay. We know that all that lives eventually breaks down becoming compost, fertile soil that nurtures new life. Remember we are dust and to dust we shall return.
Like the palms themselves, our lives are a symbol of our faith, a symbol of what we believe about the life, death, and resurrection of God made flesh in Jesus Christ. The palms connect us to Jesus’ journey to the cross. The fire consumes that reminder inviting us to let go of our distractions and struggles from the past year and be open to what is possible as we begin the journey anew. Palms turn to ashes, dust to dust, reminding us that the cycle of life continues.
Remember we are dust and to dust we shall return. As we begin our journey into Lent, we are invited to reflect on the story of our faith. Who is Jesus for us right now? How have we honoured his life, death, and resurrection over this past year? Of what do we need to let go, allowing it to be consumed by the fire that creates space for new life? What disciplines will we choose to take on this season in the hopes of seeing new life grow within ourselves? How will our relationship to God and each other inform our choices for this season?
Remember we are dust and to dust we shall return pointing to new life and new possibilities. May we observe a holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditation on the word of God creating spaces for God to do something new in our lives individually and collectively. This we pray as we sign together: (GP) 23 Ashes.