FROM DUST TO DUST----ASH WEDNESDAY USHERS IN HOPE

Whether you believe our existence is the result of "the big bang" or the hand of God, we all pretty much agree we come from matter, a sort of universal dirt---and that eventually our parts wear out, and our bodies return to dust. Dying is a part of living, and eventually we all accept our fate---but every Spring, there is proof that it is possible, at least within the world of nature, for life to overcome death. It is encouraging and comforting, but still the controversy goes on between people who believe in the possibility of human resurrection and those who don't. If you look around about this time of year, you will find some who do, and they are known by a cross---not the kind worn around the neck, but on the forehead. What's up with that? They are wearing their faith for all to see, like a temporary tattoo, which is almost in your face and shocking in this day of political correctness, which frowns upon ever discussing religion, let alone one's own personal faith. But before you judge this tradition, and those who practice it, realize it is done, not so much to evangelize or promote, but as a sincere sign of humility, repentance, and connection to a long ago event. It is making a quiet, but profound statement in an otherwise almost taboo conversation. The more I see it, the more I love it--it bears witness to an old, old story.

The Christian faith uses spring as time of renewal and repentance for our sins. It is called the Lenten Season, and builds up to Easter, when the Christian faith is fully realized in celebration of the death and resurrection of a man called Jesus Christ. This is the core of the Christian faith, and though much is made of Christmas, it is Easter that gives such profound hope and meaning to those who call themselves Christian. But inherent in the joy of Easter, is a duty to recognize the high price that was paid in order for humanity to be saved. Saved from what? Ourselves, and our inability to re-connect after this life back to our Source. It seems something went terribly wrong and messed up the original divine plan--so plan B went into effect, and it was called Christ, Emmanuel, Savior of the world. Incredible story? A fairy tale? There are those who insist it is a grand embellishment and deification of a simple, but good man, who at most was possibly sent to be an example---forget the part of his rising after the third day of his death. Please--that would be an unforgettable miracle, and we all know miracles are rare and not at all scientific. Yet, miraculously,that story has lived on for over 2000 years. Rare.

Next Wednesday is called "Ash Wednesday", the official beginning of the Lenten season, which lasts for 40 days and symbolizes a banishment from God during that time. In recognition of this day, many Christians will go to their churches, and some will have a cross drawn on their foreheads in ash to emphasize the one thing Christians believe will free them from--- the literal hell of sin. That one thing is repentance, and it is the only price asked of us, in return for forgiveness of sin. What a quaint idea, sin. It is a word we joke about these days, but it is an inescapable part of the human condition. Charlie Sheen will tell you all about it, though he may not call itt hat, and we will watch sadly as his life pathetically falls apart because of it. He is not alone. We all know our own sins and those of the world we live in. Few Christians discuss their faith in public,fewer still discuss sin--but it is that which makes us human and which allows us to understand and forgive each other.

The Easter story is that once upon a time, a man called Christ, died on a cross for the sins of the world, so that we might have a second chance, a clean slate---a new springtime. When he died, some of his last words were requests of his God to forgive those who had unmercifully and unjustifiably crucified him. How very odd, and not at all human like. His final words were, according to Christian scripture, "It is finished". What was finished? His unbelievably selfless mission, and the completion of plan B. It was not only a triumph of good over evil, but Himself correcting the fatal flaw of humanity, which is our irresistable attraction to sin, and somehow finding a way to bring us home in spite of it. He promised to do just that, and Christians everywhere rejoice every Spring in that promise.

Well,that's quite a tall tale. Different faiths put different spins on it,but the main message still rings loud and clear down through the years-- it's not the cross, but the man who died on it, and why. Take it or leave it, it's the story of Easter. But before you dismiss it as child's play, give it yet another thought---especially at this time of year, when everything old becomes miraculously new again--and all of us could use a little hope for a better ending and a God who knows how to forgive and keep promises. And remember, there once was a time when we thought the world was flat---until we knew a little more.