f2:19 aftermath: Song of Solomon
If I were God, I think I would have to give up my title as Almighty Creator and become Asst. Administrative Paper Pusher to the Almighty. That way I would not have to deal with the frustration of realizing that though the disciples nod their heads in understanding what I have told them about how to follow Jesus, they do exactly the opposite and lift their hands up and say "What...you mean...I'm sorry Jesus, could you write it on a post-it next time. I think what you meant was lost in translation."
Tonight, I am pleased to say that I was one of those disciples absently nodding as if I understood what it meant. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I do not. Tonight I did not. I began to feel a little uptight about how worship would unfold. Clearly beginning with the assumption that someone needs to control what is happening in our community encounter with God. The worship was very loose. The Scripture passage was a little longer than I wanted. And to top it all off- there was no grape juice in the communion cup out of which all would dip the bread representing Christ's body into the the cup with the juice representing his blood and his death that forgives sins. Just before this ritual of communion, I realize there is no juice in the cup, usually red grape juice, and calmly tell the congregation that before we partake of communion, we will pause for a moment of prayer. As soon as heads bowed, I walked up the aisle and out of the worship space to search for what could be used for Christ's blood. Couldn't find the usual red grape juice in the usual places like the sacristy, the refrigerators-nearly seven and at long last, I find in the refrigerator the only available juice to be the blood of Jesus Christ- Apple Juice. Filled up the cup. Return to worship space. Invite people to come forward to take communion. Everyone had realized what had happened. I could see that people's heads were bobbling with suppressed laughter about the idea of having no grape juice and then taking communion with apple juice, something well beyond protocol.
Worshipful still? Certainly! I think back to the time in Scripture when Jesus accuses the Pharisees of caring more about empty ritual than the intent that makes the ritual meaningful.
I believe that the F2:19 band and congregation laughed at this moment because it is what it is: A moment where something is out of order. I can imagine that this event would demoralize or derail those who are unaware that in the chaos, God is mischeivously weaving grace. In all honesty, I think I started worship in that soulset.
In the laughter that we all shared in that worship service, we saw truly what it is to be gracious. We do not depend on rituals or music or speech that is perfect. We depend on worship that speaks to God and says thank you Lord. It is about God. Not me. Not you. Tonight's worship was about celebrating life and love together in the name of Jesus Christ- the one who cares more about our hearts than our performances.
Tonight, I am pleased to say that I was one of those disciples absently nodding as if I understood what it meant. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I do not. Tonight I did not. I began to feel a little uptight about how worship would unfold. Clearly beginning with the assumption that someone needs to control what is happening in our community encounter with God. The worship was very loose. The Scripture passage was a little longer than I wanted. And to top it all off- there was no grape juice in the communion cup out of which all would dip the bread representing Christ's body into the the cup with the juice representing his blood and his death that forgives sins. Just before this ritual of communion, I realize there is no juice in the cup, usually red grape juice, and calmly tell the congregation that before we partake of communion, we will pause for a moment of prayer. As soon as heads bowed, I walked up the aisle and out of the worship space to search for what could be used for Christ's blood. Couldn't find the usual red grape juice in the usual places like the sacristy, the refrigerators-nearly seven and at long last, I find in the refrigerator the only available juice to be the blood of Jesus Christ- Apple Juice. Filled up the cup. Return to worship space. Invite people to come forward to take communion. Everyone had realized what had happened. I could see that people's heads were bobbling with suppressed laughter about the idea of having no grape juice and then taking communion with apple juice, something well beyond protocol.
Worshipful still? Certainly! I think back to the time in Scripture when Jesus accuses the Pharisees of caring more about empty ritual than the intent that makes the ritual meaningful.
I believe that the F2:19 band and congregation laughed at this moment because it is what it is: A moment where something is out of order. I can imagine that this event would demoralize or derail those who are unaware that in the chaos, God is mischeivously weaving grace. In all honesty, I think I started worship in that soulset.
In the laughter that we all shared in that worship service, we saw truly what it is to be gracious. We do not depend on rituals or music or speech that is perfect. We depend on worship that speaks to God and says thank you Lord. It is about God. Not me. Not you. Tonight's worship was about celebrating life and love together in the name of Jesus Christ- the one who cares more about our hearts than our performances.
posted by eschatonpieplate at 9:31 PM
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