The Bible is a collection of many things. Prayers. Lineages. Wars. Censuses. Conflicts and resolutions. Promises. Parables. There are also a playbook of rules. Such as the one about ashes.
‘This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the
fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen trousers he shall put on his body, and take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place." Leviticus 6
One might find such instructions
obscure. Trivial in fact. Except for the annual barbecue or readying the fireplace for winter, what does it matter? Yet I heard an explanation of this directive that is relevant now.
The residual feelings and thoughts that remain after an experience can be like those ashes. Burned up, with the potential to accumulate. Memories, and the cinders of regret. They accrue in such a way that they clog the circulation of air. The resentments we cling to about a
conversation last year can get in the way of a fresh one today.
Yet the emotions are worthy of respect. The priest put on linen trousers, and scooped out the ashes. Leaving the fire burning, he put on still other clothes and carried them to a place that was clean.
If we are hurt, or disappointed, we can acknowledge that loss. Give it a name and a place. But it need not be front and center of our
flame.
