Ash Wednesday 2025

"The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being."— Genesis 2:7

"By the sweat of your face    you shall eat breaduntil you return to the ground,    for out of it you were taken;you are dust,    and to dust you shall return."— Genesis 3:19

Humus is the Latin word for earth (a rich and nutrient-filled soil) and is also the root word for human. Humility is derived from the same word, humilitas, one who is grounded or near to the earth. Fittingly, the second creation story tells us that humans were created from the earth, soil, humus, (humans from humus = Adam(man) from Adamah(earth)the English translation looses this play on words). The clay was then given God’s breath of life. 

On Ash Wednesday we hear, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." A reminder that we are tied closely to the earth – angels with clay feet who have been given life by God’s breath and that breath sustains us throughout our earthly sojourn. 

The ashes symbolize the power of God to bring forth life since at creation God forms humanity from the “dust of the earth” (Gen 2:7). Reflecting on the origin of life in the universe, scientists say that we are all made from stardust. The mark of ashes affirms our solidarity not only with all humanity but with the material creation that clamors for respect and care today. These symbols also announce that we are “brothers and sisters of the incarnate Lord: nothingness that is filled with eternity; death that teems with life; futility that redeems; dust that is God's life forever" (Karl Rahner, S.J., The Eternal Year).

Indeed, the ashes have become a virtual sacrament of Catholic identity.

The readings for today sound the Lenten themes. Joel and the Responsorial Psalm summon us to return to God who is “slow to anger and rich in mercy,” who “gives back the joy of salvation and sustains a willing spirit. “ Jesus heralds in the Gospel a Father who knows when Lenten practices unfold in quiet faith and trust. Paul summons Christians to be ambassadors of reconciliation: so urgent in our world.

Ash Wednesday begins a journey of renewal with Christ through death to all that wrenches us from love of God and neighbor to the joy of victory over death at Easter, and celebrates at Pentecost continuing life in the Spirit, until the dust of death shall be no more (1 Cor 15:50-56).

Lord,

with loving kindness and gracious mercy guide our Lenten journey. Open our hearts to your renewing love. Inspire us to be ambassadors of reconciliation in a troubled world. Let us travel not alone but as companions of Jesus, with brothers and sisters who sustain us along the way. Amen