When All is Burned Away: An Ash Wednesday Reading

When all is burned away by violence, fear and greed
We tremble in our terror that we’ve lost the things we need.
When all is burned away, we wail and moan our grief
At careless harm that kills our joy and sneers at our belief.
Now all is burned away. The silence screams its song.
Our broken hearts bear witness to humanity gone wrong.
When all is burned away the ashes that remain
Are touched by love and holy grace that holds us in our pain.

Amanda Udis-Kessler
February 16, 2023

 
About the Author
Amanda Udis-Kessler is a songwriter and published composer of sacred music (everysoulmusic.com; queersacredmusic.com), a writer (sermons, other worship materials, adult faith formation curricula, a sociology monograph, and other writings), and community educator on matters of religion, social inequality, and social justice. She has a sociology doctorate from Boston College and a certificate from the Iliff School of Theology. She is the Director of Assessment and Program Review at The Colorado College. Contact her at amanda@amandaudiskessler.com.