Reflection on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

 

Some people like to have their names plastered across buildings, engraved on plaques, and videos of their giving hearts spread across social media.  Jesus pointed them out as the ones who like to have trumpets blown before them so that everyone will turn and look and see how absolutely generous they are.  They are dust, just like you and me.  They will return to the dust.

Some people like to have everyone know that they are praying.  “I am praying for you,” they announce loudly so that all can hear.  “Thoughts and prayers” they announce on the televisions, without actually stopping and taking a moment to talk with God.  They are dust, just like you and me.  They will return to the dust.

Maybe, you have done something very good and been disappointed when nobody noticed.  Maybe, you have muttered to yourself, “Why do I even try if it doesn’t make a difference!”  Maybe, you want your trophy, your treasure, handed to you on this earth and have not even thought that it might be handed to you later by God in heaven.  Maybe, you and I are no different than those who fast for religious reasons, but for selfish reasons want others to see that they are fasting and sacrificing.  Maybe, we forget that following Jesus is not about us.

We are dust; all of us.  We were formed out of the mud of the earth and we will return to that same mud.  We are dust.

But, we are God’s dust.  In the beginning of creation, God took a little water, mixed it with the dirt, took the mud and shaped our every single part.  Then, God breathed life into us.  That divine breathe makes us who we are.  That divine spirit is what animates us and fills us with all that is good. 

We did not fill ourselves with life.  We were not created for ourselves.  We are God’s dust.  We are God’s living, full of love dust.  We are carefully crafted dust that does give (in secret), and prays (in secret), and fasts (in secret), and seeks to be like the one who created us (without recognition).  

We are dust balls of God’s life and love, rolling into every corner of the earth.  We are God’s dust of love.  Our hearts are not filled with the breath of life from the stuff of this earth.  Our treasures are not found here.  Our hearts cling to the one who gave us the breath of life: God.  Because God loved us, we are God’s dust of love.