Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent which is the 40 day period (not counting any Sundays which are always considered mini-Easter feast days) that leads up to the celebration of Easter. In the sanctuary, we’ve changed out the colors to purple which is used among us liturgically focused worship planners and leaders to remind us that this is a season of penitence. Purple is also considered a color of royalty (King Jesus purple) and recalls the passion (from a Latin root, which mean suffering) of Jesus.
The banners were a team design by our worship committee in 2007. Seven panels using the seven last words of Jesus on the cross. The words are really statements, found in the Gospels. Of course some confusion is stirred because not all seven are contained in any one of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The finest theological minds of former years nevertheless have seen fit to refer to them as the “seven last words” and have used them for meditations and sermons during Holy week. The first year we installed this set of banners I too preached each week on one of the Words.
Because today is Ash Wednesday it would have been appropriate, according to our Book of Worship* to use less (or no) purple, to choose to focus on gray or burlap for color and texture. I didn’t, by personal preference. This year, quite honestly, this small community is already very well focused on the mortality theme which Ash Wednesday is supposed to reflect upon. I didn’t feel it healthy to over emphasize our communal condition. It was also a blessing that we had our Dog Derby festivities last weekend to serve as our own form of carnival, maybe not so unlike the New Orleans Mardi Gras, even if around a culturally unique experience.
All of this attention to the appearance of the sanctuary may seem silly. If you aren’t a visually oriented learner, or have an appreciation for symbol and symbolism, these are details which I know are simply missed. Funny, if you went to a Stage Play and it lacked stage props, most people would immediately comment about the absence. Yet, enter a church sanctuary, and people are quite likely enter as if they were blind, paying no attention to the details. I think this is the result of a failure to interpret the meaning for observers, thus the reason for my extended commentary here.
“Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down!” Do you remember the old children’s game, “ring around the rosy”? The most commonly accepted interpretation of this nursery rhyme is a reference to the bubonic plague which ravaged Europe. The Black plague symptoms included a red rosy ring on the skin, and the bodies of the dead where cremated to prevent more spreading of the contagion. I always think of this rhyme on Ash Wednesday and then wonder, how it came about that children would begin singing this rhyme in such great playfulness. Ah, those British had a rather macabre sense of humor (“London Bridge is Falling Down”) didn’t they.
In Ashton this month, we’ve seen life end early due to the worst form of cancer. Heart disease and stroke took others. Several members in the community continue to courageously battle for life as long as possible. Last week I felt as if we were already in lent. In that one week I attended or officiated at three services of death, resurrection and remembrance. The first funeral we estimated had 800 in attendance. In a town with a population of 1198, not only was there an immense turnout of extended family, there were people whose lives had been touched by the deceased from his involvement in community and business. Many friends came to demonstrate their love and loss.
Last week it was not possible to deny that death is a possibility at any time. We could not deny that the impact of one person can be felt across not just a family but an entire community. We could not deny that death may suddenly pluck a loved one, despite the best care available. We could not deny that any day may be the very last time we see someone we love. With that message delivered to so many through the very personal experiences of death in our community, I just didn’t think I needed to add any more somber notes to the tune we’ve heard in town already.
In past years I have held an evening Service of Ashes. Last year myself and several of our members joined our Lutheran brethren at their service. The turnout was small, and the service was meaningful.
This year, I chose to set aside 3 hours this evening to have the sanctuary open, a self guided reflection available. I will be present to offer the imposition of ashes or anointing and prayers with individuals as they choose. I expect there will be only one or two that come tonight. I’m not deluding myself. People simply prefer to feel good all the time, rather than risk entering into a time of reflection which might lead to making any changes in personal actions. But one or two people may be feel the need to come and I will be present. Otherwise, I expect to have plenty of quite time for my own prayers, reflections and reading.
Last Sunday I gave one specific suggestion for a Lenten practice. Rather than expecting any sacrifice of denial I am asking each person to develop the habit of daily naming at least two things for which they are grateful. I believe that the Micah 6:8 commandment calls for us to develop a deeper appreciation of how very blessed we are. This is a holy sacrifice, a sacrifice of praise. With deepened appreciation and gratitude comes greater compassion for others. In counting one’s own blessings we develop the ability to reach out to our neighbor in need.
No comments:
Post a Comment