Today’s Readings: Psalm 76; Genesis 35:1-20; Luke 2:33-40; Acts 16:25-34; Psalm 47
One of the by-products of the increased move toward secularization that occurred during the second half of the twentieth century was a loss of ritual. Folks began to ask themselves, “Why stop and both creating sacred space if there aren’t sacred dimensions to most things in our daily lives?” As a result of this approach, sadly – over a period of time - the role ritual played in our lives diminished greatly. Thankfully it seems that cycle has run its course as folks in the twenty-first century are starved to find links between the so-called secular and the sacred and to ritualize these connections. I’m particularly aware of this dynamic this week as I’ve had an interesting request to ritualize a new piece of the human experience. A friend of mine who was in a relationship with his partner for 12 years suddenly lost his partner 2 months ago – before the couple could do a Commitment Ceremony. The surviving partner knew he would never come to terms with his partner’s death until he was able to express his desire to commit the rest of his life to his partner. So Friday, we’ll be doing a grave side commitment ceremony. The ritual will be a way to both acknowledge both the transformation nature of their relationship and let go of the physical piece of their relationship so they can stay connected in new ways. So what’s this got to do with any of today’s readings? Well today’s passage from Genesis gives us a beautiful example of how the incorporation of ritual in our day-to-day lives can enhance our spiritual life. For in this morning’s passage from Genesis, we were told how Jacob went to great lengths to create sacred space following an encounter of his with God. Today I’m wondering if there are aspects of your experience –aspects even that others might describe as secular – that you need to claim as expressions of the sacred. If so, I would encourage you to consider the role that ritual might play in helping you make that connection and enrich your spiritual life. Til next time…
One of the by-products of the increased move toward secularization that occurred during the second half of the twentieth century was a loss of ritual. Folks began to ask themselves, “Why stop and both creating sacred space if there aren’t sacred dimensions to most things in our daily lives?” As a result of this approach, sadly – over a period of time - the role ritual played in our lives diminished greatly. Thankfully it seems that cycle has run its course as folks in the twenty-first century are starved to find links between the so-called secular and the sacred and to ritualize these connections. I’m particularly aware of this dynamic this week as I’ve had an interesting request to ritualize a new piece of the human experience. A friend of mine who was in a relationship with his partner for 12 years suddenly lost his partner 2 months ago – before the couple could do a Commitment Ceremony. The surviving partner knew he would never come to terms with his partner’s death until he was able to express his desire to commit the rest of his life to his partner. So Friday, we’ll be doing a grave side commitment ceremony. The ritual will be a way to both acknowledge both the transformation nature of their relationship and let go of the physical piece of their relationship so they can stay connected in new ways. So what’s this got to do with any of today’s readings? Well today’s passage from Genesis gives us a beautiful example of how the incorporation of ritual in our day-to-day lives can enhance our spiritual life. For in this morning’s passage from Genesis, we were told how Jacob went to great lengths to create sacred space following an encounter of his with God. Today I’m wondering if there are aspects of your experience –aspects even that others might describe as secular – that you need to claim as expressions of the sacred. If so, I would encourage you to consider the role that ritual might play in helping you make that connection and enrich your spiritual life. Til next time…
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