Touching the ground

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

There is so much power in these simple words. They take us deep into the earth or our faith, uncovering layers and layers of meaning.
As I reflect on them this Ash Wednesday, I find myself drawn to a story about Jesus and dust from the Gospel of John. A woman is caught in adultery. The religious leaders bring her before Jesus to test his rigor. They want him to judge her harshly: "In the law Moses commanded us to stone such woman. What do you say?"

And for a moment, Jesus doesn't say anything at all. He just bends down and writes in the dust on the ground. Then he stands up and says, "Let anyone who is among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And he bends down again to continue writing in the dust.

What is he doing here, as he pauses to place his hands in the earth? I think he is touching the common ground of our humanity. He is placing his hands in the truth that we are all mortal, all imperfect, and yet all children of God. He is merciful to the woman because she is no different than the rest of us. She made a mistake, which is another way of saying she was a human being.

This is the great privilege of Ash Wednesday, to touch your forehead with the dust of the earth. With this cross of ash, I tell you: you are human and you are loved.