In our Judeo-Christian heritage, ashes are for mourning — a symbol of loss, weeping — a signal of deep emotion, repentance — a sign of needed change and sincerity — a desire to be conformed to the image of God.

But mostly, ashes are for remembering. Henri Nouwen, the Roman Catholic writer, tells us that from a biblical point of view remembering means more than recalling an event or person. Remembering means participation and actualizing former events and people.1 By remembering, we enter into the past. Thus, when Jesus speaks of remembering him in the Lord's Supper, he is not just asking us to recall what he did, but to participate in what he's doing. "Do this in remembrance of me," is an invitation to come into the real presence of God.

The prophet, Joel, reminds us to step into the pre…