Our Lenten pilgrimage: Inspired by death

We have begun our Lenten journey, the pilgrimage that will carry us to the cross and beyond – to Easter dawn! On Ash Wednesday, we took on ashes as we heard these words once again: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” We are inspired, and called, to confession, to penitence, to prayer, to worthy action – and to remembering Jesus. We are inspired, you might say, by death.

I learned from Suzanne Guthrie, who writes for the online retreat “At the Edge of the

Enclosure,” of slaves called Aurigae who drove the chariots in ancient Rome, in circuses and

public events. During a victory parade, this slave would hold a laurel leaf crown over the victor’s head and would whisper “memento mori,” which means “remember that you are mortal,” into the commander’s ear. The point was to remind the commander to keep the appropriate perspective – not to get a big head as he was greeted by throngs of cheering crowds shouting his name.

St. Benedict, the founder of Western Christian monasticism, wrote, “Keep death daily before

your eyes.” Christian monks, hermits, and other religious through the centuries would sleep in their coffins, or would take a scoop of graveyard dirt to put on themselves, as a sign of this spiritual practice of “keeping death daily before your eyes.”

It may sound a little morbid! Maybe it is. But “keeping death daily before our eyes” helps us

keep our human lives, and our faith lives, in perspective. And this may help us store up

“treasures in heaven,” in the words of Jesus (Matt 6:19-21). Unlike the worldly possessions,

which rust and decay, the heavenly treasures bring us grace and hope and life. “Where your

treasure is, there your heart will be also,” says Jesus. He doesn’t say that your treasure comes to you as a reward, as a result of where your heart is. His point is, I think, watch your heart! Because whatever you value most – whether it’s money and power and possessions, or kindness and justice and love – that’s where your heart will abide. Your treasure shows the true colors of your heart.

This Lent may we continue the journey of getting to know ourselves – who we are and whose we are. May our hearts follow the true Treasure – Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus, remember us, when you come into your kingdom. Dust that we are, we remember you. Amen.