Blessing for Ash Wednesdayby Maren TirabassiAll around are ashes, ashes,Holy One –ashes of the care for justicewe called diversity, equity, inclusion,ashes of our respectful relationshipswith other nations,and compassionate resourcesin places around the world,ashes ground into the daily livesof your transgender children,ashes of the great burningsin Gaza, in Ukraine,ashes of the work done by manydismissed from their jobs,ashes of efforts to protectair. water, land – the earth itself.Ashes of hope, of peace, of kindness,ashes from the palms of trustlong brittle and broken,and the sad words'Dust you have madeand this dust will return to you.'Forgive us, O God,and wash our hands and facesfrom what has pastgranting us to hear this promise,'Love you areand to Love you will return,'but it will be a long journey. | 
