On Ash Wednesday, we marked children, senior adults, those who are sick, and those are well with the symbol of their death, in the shape of their salvation. I used to think that meant that we were fundamentally bad and deserving of the wrath of God, but Jesus saved me from a retributive Father. That is, the cross and resurrection were a transaction whereby I was tolerable to God.

I’ve come to see that the ashes (that represent our mortality because of our sinfulness) are true, but in a more beautiful way. We are precious and lovely and bear the image of God. God does not need the blood of Jesus to appease his anger or “pay off” our guilt. God takes on our ashes (sin) and demonstrates the way of love and forgiveness. He re-founds the world on an axis of love.