Studies of starlight reveal that everything we can observe in space is made of the same matter as things on Earth. All matter is made up of atoms. The nucleus of each atom is composed of smaller particles called protons and neutrons, and the nucleus of each atom is surrounded by a cloud of electrons. As elementary particles, electrons cannot be divided any further. However, protons and neutrons are made up of even smaller particles called quarks.
The ancient Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus (624 – 546 BC) is known for stating, “Everything is water.” Perhaps this is because we can observe water in three states: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (vapor). But more importantly, Thales’ statement was an initial attempt to answer the question, “What is everything made of?” Eventually, the ancient Greeks determined four elements out of which they thought everything is made: earth, air, fire, and water.
The dust and ashes of Ash Wednesday do more than help us to remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. They do more than remind us that our biochemistry is made of the same matter as things on Earth. The dust and ashes serve to remind us that we are both spiritual creatures like our Creator and material creatures like creation itself.
- The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature (Genesis 2:7).
- By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19).
- All are from the dust, and to dust all return (Ecclesiastes 3:20b).
- The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
Throughout our Lenten journey, let us call to mind these words for Ash Wednesday from the Book of Common Prayer: Almighty God, you have created us from the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be for us a symbol of our mortality and a sign of our penitence, that we may remember that it is by your grace alone that we receive the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
~ Boethius ~