This Slice doubles as a Spiritual Journey Thursday post. Thank you, Ruth, for the prompt of "ashes".
She walked hurriedly down the hall, past my morning duty station at the corner by the library, on the way to her crosswalk duty. The large dark smudge on her forehead caused an ever so slight guilty twinge in my heart and a slight smile under my mask. That must have been a really early Ash Wednesday service--or a drive thru one, I thought to myself. I remembered the feeling of belonging to something bigger than myself as I used to stand in line to be reminded from whence I came, to where I would return. But that foundation had too many cracks; I find other ways to observe, now.
Midday brought a teary discussion with a colleague over the impending death of her parent. We talked frankly about what we are and aren't capable of facing, how complicated relationships can be, how we juggle protecting ourselves while being of service to others. Her parent wants to be cremated...ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Later at home, I moved yet another pile of clutter so that my son can sleep in his bed when he visits this weekend. Our family has been talking a lot about the stuff that we've accumulated over the past three decades. We're in the discussion phase of what needs to stay, and what can go. As I moved the pile of Christmas decor that hadn't been properly put away yet, the thought of a fire turning it all into ashy rubble came to mind. What would I truly miss? What is ready to go?
Rituals of belonging
Rituals of departure
Rituals of release
 |
| https://myfranciscan.org/event/burning-palm-branches-02-11-18/ |
I once heard an Ash Wednesday sermon that referenced the use of ashes in the refining of silver. I found this explanation online:
"Today, the cupellation process involves heating crushed ore on a porous bed of bone ash until it melts. The lead and other impurities are absorbed into the bone ash, and the molten silver is drawn off."
The fiery crises in life test us. We can become better people in the ashes that remain, when what is truly precious is made clear. Perhaps Ash Wednesday's message isn't just about our mortality, but about the ashes themselves, and what we shall make of them, what bright, refined purpose can arise from the remains of those burnt palm leaves.
Source of cupellation quote:
What a poignant reflection. It brings peace to think about the way beauty arises out of ashes. I'm glad you wrote today.
ReplyDeleteShine on, Ruth
What is truly precious? Such an important question. I like thinking that we can become better people in the ashes that remain after our fiery crises. I feel quite surrounded by them in my circle of family and friends. What bright refined purpose can arise from the ashes?
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I accidentally went to your other blog and saw that you're reading Stella by Starlight. It's one of my favorite middle grade novels! My list has 20 or 30 titles on it.
I love your reflections on the uses of ashes.
ReplyDeleteThe focus on the refining process is an important one, Chris. Phoenix symbolism also comes to mind, in thinking of what "bright, refined purpose will rise from the ashes." A Christ-symbol, so fitting for the season. Haunting reflection about a fire burning the Christmas clutter, and what would be missed! Your wise words always cut straight to the heart of things.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an extraordinary line, "We can become better people in the ashes that remain, when what is truly precious is made clear." Lovely reflection!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this thoughtful reflection on ashes. Ashes as an aide to refinement. I like it!
ReplyDeleteChris, this is incredible! You have provided so much to think about. Purpose. Meaning. Grappling with those things we know and those things we still want to understand.
ReplyDeleteChris, we see your thought process this week as you encountered different kinds of ashes. I agree, it's not just about our mortality. I love this line in your post: "We can become better people in the ashes that remain, when what is truly precious is made clear." Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteChris, each one of your paragraphs beautifully blend into the other. Details are strong and emotion flows throughout the writing.=>"The fiery crisis in life test us" and "we can become better people in the ashes that remain"
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts about the meaning of the ashes, how it's up to us to make something from them.
ReplyDelete