Lent

Ash Wednesday, an ominous title, reminds us that we come from ashes and will return to ashes, or so many religious leaders tell us.

This day could also remind us that we all have dirt on our hands and so might bear that in mind when bearing with each other.

Or we might ponder the work of our hands and how our work feeds the fires that warm our families, friends, neighbors, world. How our work provides heat for cooking to feed the world.

Maybe the ashes remind us of our connection to all of creation, even to the very soil on which the ashes fall or the trees whence ashes come. This could lead us to stewardship of the earth and to reflect on the price we pay when we fail through hubris to recognize this critical connection.

And if we reflect today on our work, we realize that we can choose to work harmoniously or acrimoniously, but we do need to work. There is much to be done, but our work could take on the nature of the child's work -- which most of us call play -- as children are not averse to getting dirty, and can even find joy in doing so.

I will ponder the joy of unity with others and all things and the joy that comes from playing in the dirt (the physical soil or the mental and emotional dirt of community) in order to nurture this unity. How do I nurture not only the joy of unity, but the joy of the work in myself and others?