Ashes of intent

Matthew 6:1
Giving to the Needy
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Practicing righteousness
with ash on our foreheads
a symbol - not of piety
but of intent and reality:
The reality that we are dust
and to dust we shall return
And the intent
to make that dust
a veritable storm
that whips up justice
and sows seeds
of love and hope
To make each grain
a pulsing, vibrant force
that pursues the winds of oppression
and wrestles them into submission.
Exposing the half truths and lies
that policy makers use
to justify poverty
and hunger
and homelessness
that exist alongside
the rewards
for sharp practice
and fulfilling quotas
and manipulating statistics.
A grain of ash
may be all it takes
to turn us back
to the resistance of evil
and the refusal to accept mediocrity.
A grain of ash
may be all it takes
to turn the tide
in our neighbourhood
and see righteousness
become reality.
A grain of ash
may be all it takes
to signal our intent
and strengthen our resolve
to do justice
to practice mercy
and to walk humbly with God.
A grain of ash.


(Liz Crumlish Ash Wednesday 2014)

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