Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made.
\nEven ashes.
\nEven dust.<\/p>\n
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
\nI\u00a0remember my father\u2019s ashes falling into the earth, covered by soil, and now overgrown by ferns and moss.
\nI remembered him today as I pressed ashy crosses on the foreheads of about 50 people.
\nFifty times I pressed my thumb into a bowl of ashes, then touched a warm forehead with my fingers as I used my thumb to trace a cross.
\nSaid the words.
\nWe beheld each other with these marks of our transience.<\/p>\n
Never alone in our heart-rending silent prayers,
\nWe approach and gather and confess together.
\nReturn to me with all your heart, the prophet reminds us.
\nWe are beloved.
\nEven as ashes.
\nEven as dust.
\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made. Even ashes. Even dust. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. I\u00a0remember my father\u2019s ashes falling into the earth, covered by soil, and now overgrown by … Continue reading