Dust to Dust

Regarding "The Politics of Piety," by Amy Sullivan, November 2004: I was impressed by your article. I am reminded of a ceremony that took place during medieval times at the election of the pope. A person with a burning piece of flax or some other combustible material approached the new pontiff while he was seated on his throne and intoned: "Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Might be a good idea to remind our political leaders that they too shall one day die, that their various "legacies" will no longer be in their hands, and that they will be judged just like everyone else.

James Morgan
Olympia, Washington

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Sojourners Magazine February 2005
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