In moments of inordinate pride, remind your heart that you are made from dust - Daily Reflections February 11,2015

FROM DUST, FOR HEAVEN!

People of biblical times do not have proper surnames. Take, for example, Mary Magdalene. “Magdalene” is not her surname. She is actually known as Mary of Magdala, i.e., she hails from a town called Magdala. The same is true with Joseph of Arimathea and Simon of Cyrene. People then are designated by their place of origin. Thus, even our Lord was known as Jesus of Nazareth. It’s interesting how Jesus came to be known later in history as Jesus Christ. Christ comes from the Greek Kristos, meaning “the anointed one.” Kristos designated for Jesus His mission, His life’s direction. And so, from being identified by His place of origin, Jesus came to be defined by His life’s mission and direction.

       Knowledge of our origin, knowledge of our destination — that is essential for the Christian life. Today’s First Reading invites us to reflect on the story of our creation. At every start of the Lenten season, Catholics all over the world blemish their faces with dirt gathered from the ash of burnt palm branches. As the minister traces the sign of the cross on the forehead, the faithful is reminded, “Remember, O man, that you are dust…”

       Lest we forget, the ash reminds us of our humble origin. We are not our own maker. We are not our Creator. Life is a gift. It does not and cannot go on by our own power. But it does not end there. Christianity is not a religion of self-depreciation. The latter half of the Genesis text continues, “…and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Notice that we are not only dust. We possess as well the very breath of God, without which we are nothing but dust. But with it, “man became a living being.” Yes, earthly life ends with death, but eternal life follows soon after for those who lived in friendship with God.

       We are made from dust but we are made for heaven. Our origin is dust and we are humbled, but we are to be proud because our destiny is heaven. Remembering this makes for a good Christian spirituality. Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: In moments of inordinate pride, remind your heart that you are made from dust. In moments of temptations and despair, remind yourself that you are made for heaven.

Direct my life’s journey O God. Ground me in my origin. Guide me towards my destiny. Amen.