“What repeatedly enters your mind and occupies your mind, eventually shapes your mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become”

As we continue in the season of Lent we need to be reminded of the importance of the phrase “remember you are dust.” Lent begins with a special service known as Ash Wednesday. During the service there is what is called the “imposition of ashes,” where the ministers make the sign of the cross on people’s forehead. Before doing this the the lead pastor would typically say a few words. “Almighty god, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our savior. Amen.”

After these words the members of the church come forward, as the sign of the cross is placed on their foreheads while the pastor says the following words: “Remember you are dust and to dust you will return; repent and believe in the gospel”

James asks us to reflect on this thought that actually is a thought from above, that we are, all of us, going to die. It is not something we like to think about. And in fact it is very hard for us to do. Psychologists tell us that it is nearly impossible for us humans to imagine our own death. We really do think we are not made to die. And in a very real sense that is true. We are, as Dallas Willard often said, ‘unceasing spiritual beings who have an eternal destiny.” All very true. And yet, we are, all of us, going to die. It is a reality none can escape.

Smith has come to believe that it is an extremely important spiritual exercise to remember our death. There is a name for this spiritual practice and it is called “memento more.” Which means “remember your death.” As legend has it, when a Roman emperor would ride through Rome after a great military victory, with the crowds chanting and screaming shouts of adulation, a person was assigned to walk behind the emperor saying those two words: memento more. Memento more. Remember your death, remember your death.

It was a way to keep things in perspective. Yes, you just accomplished a great victory, but remember, you are one day going to die. It keeps everything in check. He goes on to further explain this idea by telling a story about the famous musician Warren Zevon.

Warren was on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in 2002. Zevon was dying of mesothelioma, and Mr. Letterman asked him how his illness had changed him. “from your perspective now,” Letterman asked, “do you know something about life and death that maybe I don’t know now?” Warren Zevon answered: “I know how much you’re supposed to enjoy every sandwich.”

Zevon went on to say “You put more value on every minute…you know I always kind of thought I did that. I really always enjoyed myself. But it’s more valuable now. You’re reminded to enjoy every sandwich and every minute. I now know how good a sandwich tastes.”

This response blew James away, he did not expect this kind of answer but after pondering the response he began to understand what it meant. Memento more. Remember your death. Remember how good every moment is. Don’t take any of it for granted. Enjoy every sandwich. And as believers, we are also confident, as Paul said to the Colossians, “When Christ who is your life appears, you will also appear with him in glory.” Smith closes by saying, “You are one day going to die. But you are also one day going to glow. Until then, enjoy every sandwich.”

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