In the words of text speak, smh .
It's true: Christians in the global North have seen our holidays co-opted by consumerism one by one. I have seen a separate section in a catalog for "Christian Easter gifts" as opposed to... well, right. You get the point. Nevermind that Christians co-opted these same holidays from traditional pagan celebrations. Pancake day is just the most recent example of non-Christians taking their holidays back.
Yet no one wants Ash Wednesday.
Did you hear the sound of crickets from sponsors today? No one clamoring for the booming penitent market. No one advertising their door-busting sale on black and purple. Nope, we've got this one all to ourselves.
I fundamentally believe that Christianity is a faith of Good News and triumph over death. I do not like the idea of wallowing in unworthiness or trying to convince other people how sinful they really are. But that's not the real message of Ash Wednesday.
My experience is that most people already know we are dust. The message of Ash Wednesday isn't news to us. We have just been trying desperately to forget it. That's why we turn to consumerism and other things that occupy our time. We collectively put our fingers in our ears, squeeze our eyes shut and hum as loudly as we can that there really is nothing to be sad or worried about.
On Ash Wednesday, we take our fingers out of our ears. We face our fears head on so that when we hear the Good News on Easter morning, we really know what good news it is.
So for today, let me help you remember something you already know. Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.