Those of you who know me or have read this blog for a while may wonder why the death of Leonard Nimoy warrants a post from me. I'm not prone to celebrity worship and I'm not really a sci-fi fan (though I will admit to enjoying the old Star Trek series). Honestly, Leonard Nimoy's death doesn't mean any more to me than the death of random stranges about whom I read in the obituaries. However, seeing his face all over my facebook feed today brought forth once again something that the Church reminds us of every year during Lent--that we came from dust and to dust we shall return (at least our bodies). I've reached that age. The adults of my childhood are dead or very old, and more die all the time. My parents are dead, my in-laws are dead and it isn't unusual to see on facebook that a high school classmate's parent died. Last year my husband lost two contemporary friends. It can be so tempting to think that we and our loved ones will live forever, or at least for a long time, but we aren't guaranteed tomorrow, much less next year. Mr. Spock said "Live long and prosper" but "remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return". Have a blessed season of Lent.
I would not have been surprised if some parishioners had given Vulcan salutes at the sign of peace tonight. But I saw none. Wikipedia says Nimoy developed the salute from a Jewish blessing. The fingers represent the Hebrew letter Shin which can stand for El Shaddai, Shekinah and Shalom.
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