A chief provider and curator of Catholic information on the web since 1996. The Hebrew words for "dust" and the Hebrew word for "ashes" are. Facebook Tweet Email Print “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” – the words I heard as ash fell and sprinkled down my face. Although it sounds like a Bible verse (and is often assumed to be one), the exact phrase, “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust” is found nowhere in the Bible. I remember that the man said, “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, from the dust you came to the dust … Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…God is doing something new with us. Lord, all that is lost will be found again, Father, may we repent of the ways that we did not serve you. ashes. I already feel that I have entered into the spirit of Lent. It is thus a reminder of our mortality and our need to repent before this life is over and we face our Judge. Sounds to me like you folks either need to go to Mass more often than funerals, Ash Wednesday, Easter and Christmas, or that you need to pay more attention when you do go. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the three pillars of Lent; each needs concrete expression in our life. Here is another prayer to begin the season. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Although it sounds like a Bible verse (and is often assumed to be one), the exact phrase, “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust” is found nowhere in the Bible. Why do you have ashes … In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through Our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God (Name), and we commit his/her body to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Why can’t I find ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ in the Bible? A number of passages in the Old Testament connect ashes ( efer ) with mourning, and we are told that the mourner sat or rolled himself in, sprinkled his head or mingled his food with, "ashes", but it is not clear whether in these passages we ought not rather to translate efer as dust. Also, all that is crushed will be made whole again. Being likened to the tiny dust particles I felt tickle my nose and cheeks is sobering for two reasons. My friends, in short time we all return to dust. You can’t find ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ in the Bible because it isn’t there.The phrase comes from the funeral service in the Book of Common Prayer, and it is based on Genesis 3:19. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Prayers and Readings: Near death or at the time of death. I also remember what my Grandma told me the first time I got ashes. Sometimes it can feel like we have been broken back down into dust, because it is painful when we allow the grace of God to break through our habits and sins and systems. The most common response I hear to why people get ashes on Wednesday is, “Well, I’m Catholic.” The conversation with the co-worker goes something like this, “What’s on your forehead?” “Oh, those are Ashes.” “That’s kind of weird. I know, too, how powerful the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return.” I had a chance conversation with a parishioner yesterday who told me about the first Ash Wednesday service he attended, when he was in boot camp and the Catholic Chaplain, aided by an enlisted assistant, imposed ashes on the recruits. You can’t find ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ in the Bible because it isn’t there! The phrase comes from the funeral service in the Book of Common Prayer, and it is based on Genesis 3:19, Genesis 18:27, Job 30:19, and Ecclesiastes 3:20. where the world of dust and ashes has no dominion. by Rachel Denison. It is a painful season, especially as I remember the death of those I knew in Christchurch. That's only used during burial following a Catholic funeral Mass. There is also a connection in the Old Testament between ashes and human mortality. The phrase "ashes to ashes" was first used in 1662 in the Christian Book of Common Prayer. 1979 Book of Common Prayer. There is no absolute rule for who should be included in prayers at funerals; but. This also echoes the words at a burial, "Ashes to ashes; dust to dust," which is based on God's words to Adam in Genesis 3 and Abraham's confession, "I am nothing but dust and ashes" (Genesis 18:27). I am reminded that God breathed life into the earth and made man – made me. As Abraham intercedes for the righteous in Sodom he declares: “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” (Genesis 18:27, ESV) Jeremiah speaks of the dead returning to ashes in chapter 31 verse 40. A brief period of silent prayer or informal intercessions may follow.