You are but the Dust of Earth – 22 February 2023
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
This day emphasizes the primary disciplines of life in Christ –– fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Consider this year that they are also the very disciplines needed for care of creation.
·Fasting from ignorance of nature’s ways and our responsibilities toward Earth. Fasting from greed that allows wreckless relationships with God’s creation.
·Prayer to deepen self-reflection, to question the values we express by our actions, to plead that God infuse our individual and communal hearts with a desire to turn toward what is healthy for all people and creatures.
·Almsgiving that is increased to flood environmental activists with the funds needed for their work.
Now is the time! Treasures on earth will not bless you. If you are looking for admiration from other people, forget it. Give alms! Pray! Fast! Do these things in secret. Turn toward the One Holy God who covets your well-being.
Having nothing, you possess everything. –– Melinda A. Quivik
2 Corinthians 5:20b––6:10
We will hear in these forty days about ourselves in the language Paul uses to instruct the Corinthian church. Paul gives us a whole list of paradoxical states in which to dwell as reconciled creatures: We are imposters and yet true; unknown (to ourselves) and well known (to the One who made us); dying (indeed: even already dead in some senses) and still alive; punished (oh, how the falseness of our own selves weighs on us) and yet the weight does not crush us; sorrowful, yet rejoicing; both poor and rich; bereft and yet having in our grasp the whole universe.
Paul says “be reconciled.” It could be “reconcile yourselves.” The direction of that action—whether active or passive—is not absolutely clear in the text. It could mean we have to do some part of the reconciliation. Or it could mean that we already live in a reconciled state of existence. or, truth be told, it could be both. Those of us who love paradoxes welcome this possibility.
Reconciled with this life—this paradoxical identity—we continue, year after year, to gather to hear the dust words. –– Melinda A. Quivik
Joel 2:1–2, 12–17
When the prophet Joel cries out, “Rend your hearts… not your clothing,” he is saying: Break your treasure, not something inconsequential. Break your treasure means the very core of you–– your heart. Tear it open. Crush it.
At this start of Lent, we are called to ask ourselves: what do I hold onto the most tightly right now? What do I cling to? What seems most essential this year, right now? Ambition? Success? Getting my way? Coming out on top? Being admired? Conforming? Not making waves? Disturbing others by making a point? All of the above?
The church today wants us to hear the words Remember you are dust and to dust you will return… because when we hear we are dust, we can be sure we are hearing the truth. There is no mincing of words in this. There is no hiding anywhere. Wherever we go, we are dust… and, in the end, ashes. This truth governs our choices every day. –– Melinda A. Quivik
Melinda A. Quivik, an ordained ELCA pastor (who served churches in Montana, Michigan, and Minnesota) and former professor of worship and preaching, is the Editor-in-Chief of Liturgy, a writer, and a preaching mentor with Backstory Preaching at backstory-preaching.mn.co.