One of my all time favorite services at this time of year is the Great Easter Vigil. It has been many years now since I was able to celebrate this vigil and I find I am missing it greatly this year. The vigil starts off in complete darkness, you are not even able to see your hand in front of your face. From the darkness a voice pierces through speaking of God's saving deeds! Through out the service God's saving deeds are recalled and songs are song and candles are lit slowly to remind us of the light of God that breaks through the darkness of our human existence. The service culminates with the great Easter Proclamation of Christ's resurrection at which time the lights are all switched on and bells ring and we sing joyously!
One year, I was attending the service and someone got over zealous and lit too many candles too soon. The room was fully lit by the 3rd of 8 readings! Some how I missed being in the darkness a bit longer. I wanted to experience the fullness of the darkness, of the void, so that I might more fully experience the light of Christ breaking through!! For me the light of Christ breaking through is not a one-time deal! The light of God’s love, Christ Jesus, breaks forth each day or at least I need it to each day. I need to know that whatever existence I am experiencing at this moment can be transformed by the love of God.
So I do not want to rush to light, I do not want to rush to Easter morning. I want to stay at the foot of the Cross and pour out my soul and linger in the darkness waiting for the light of Love to pierce my world and my being!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
faith, hope, and charity - anne shannon demarest - 1965
A faintish journey do I make
As through this frazzled world I wind,
With heavy heart and weary steps,
But with determined mind.
Beseech I for a flicker of
The faith than can a mountain move,
And hold that tenet close to me,
Believing where I cannot prove.
The pow'r that comes when sinking low
To man who grasps for straw or rope,
Will clutch til has he breath no more
For where there's life, there's hope.
If my good turn be given to
My fellow man's deficiency,
I'll try to share my lowly gifts
Of Faith and Hope and Charity.
faith, hope, and charity - anne shannon demarest - 1965
This reflection reminds me that we are always on a journey or I think a series of journeys each one taking us to a new starting place. Along the way on this journey that I am in right now I need the strength to get through, to make it to the next starting place. Our faith can pull us through, can strengthen us and can give us the courage we need.
I have started jogging, albeit a bit awkwardly and slow. But like any journey I must stay the course if I am to meet my goal. In this case my goal is a starting place, the beginning of my first 5k. That may not seem like a great deal of a challenge to some folks, but it is a huge challenge for me on a variety of levels. So I must stay the course, must hold onto the vision of my goal even when the pain in my side is a constant reminder, even when my ankle and knees are yelling at me. But I must also learn that I need to take things at the right pace, I can not start off running at a pace that I am not yet ready for.
Our faith journeys are the same way. We must press on even when the way seems unclear, we must find the right pace and then learn to run the race!
Some things help me in this training. I have a plan, I have a running partner and I have a vision.
What is your vision, the place that you feel you are being called to? How will you repsond to that call of God? Who are those that you can surround yourself with to support you and pray for/with you?
As through this frazzled world I wind,
With heavy heart and weary steps,
But with determined mind.
Beseech I for a flicker of
The faith than can a mountain move,
And hold that tenet close to me,
Believing where I cannot prove.
The pow'r that comes when sinking low
To man who grasps for straw or rope,
Will clutch til has he breath no more
For where there's life, there's hope.
If my good turn be given to
My fellow man's deficiency,
I'll try to share my lowly gifts
Of Faith and Hope and Charity.
faith, hope, and charity - anne shannon demarest - 1965
This reflection reminds me that we are always on a journey or I think a series of journeys each one taking us to a new starting place. Along the way on this journey that I am in right now I need the strength to get through, to make it to the next starting place. Our faith can pull us through, can strengthen us and can give us the courage we need.
I have started jogging, albeit a bit awkwardly and slow. But like any journey I must stay the course if I am to meet my goal. In this case my goal is a starting place, the beginning of my first 5k. That may not seem like a great deal of a challenge to some folks, but it is a huge challenge for me on a variety of levels. So I must stay the course, must hold onto the vision of my goal even when the pain in my side is a constant reminder, even when my ankle and knees are yelling at me. But I must also learn that I need to take things at the right pace, I can not start off running at a pace that I am not yet ready for.
Our faith journeys are the same way. We must press on even when the way seems unclear, we must find the right pace and then learn to run the race!
Some things help me in this training. I have a plan, I have a running partner and I have a vision.
What is your vision, the place that you feel you are being called to? How will you repsond to that call of God? Who are those that you can surround yourself with to support you and pray for/with you?
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