now, go and behave like you cared about it. It's another way of saying, "You are part of the universe. So here's a proposed re-wording of that Ash Wednesday ritual: "Remember (whomever) that you are stardust and unto stardust you shall return." This could be a call to repent our ways of treating the universe - or at least our planet - so badly. We are literally made from the same "stuff" as the stars and planets! Over billions of years, this led to the creation of solar systems, planets and eventually many forms of life, including human life. Humanity, like all other life, got its seed planted with the "Big Bang" as particles of matter sped out from the core. It's based on scientific accounts of the unfolding of God's creation, which happened quite a bit differently than the way it's told in Genesis. In recent years, I was introduced to the world of environmental/cosmological spirituality in which we emphasize and celebrate our oneness with all creation, our unity with the entire universe. Of course, since Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the ashes also announced the beginning of a season-long effort to repent wrongs, seek a new path and follow the Gospel. When I was young, I remember thinking about that phrase priests use on Ash Wednesday when they place the ashes on your forehead: "Remember (whomever) that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." Although we can profitably be reminded of our mortality from time to time, this always struck me as a bit morbid. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.