Seasons of our soul
When interest in Sunday worship died, a pastor placed a notice in the local newspapers that the church was dead. The funeral would be held the following Sunday afternoon. A large crowd turned out. After the Pastor delivered the eulogy, he opened the coffin and invited all to come forward to pay their respects.
The people eagerly lined up to look in the coffin. Each mourner peeped into the coffin then quickly turned away. In the coffin, tilted at the correct angle, was a large mirror.
In a real sense, this glance in the mirror is an uneasy preview of how we may see ourselves on that final judgment day. No human being, not even the angels, knows the specific time when the final judgment day will take place. Tick! Tick! Says the clock. Tick! Tick! What you must do, do quick!
We are once again in the season of fall, thanksgiving, Halloween, and, though it is pushing it a little, Christmas shopping. In this season of our lives we can take stock of the Spirit world – All Saints Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas joy in our lives as families gather.
To everything there is a season. There is a time for every purpose under heaven: “a time for giving birth, a time for dying…a time for tears…a time for laughter. A time for embracing, a time to refrain from embracing…a time for keeping silent, a time for speaking” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).
We all look forward to the day of our reward in heaven, in the next life: “When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples…grace and mercy await those he has chosen” (3:4-9).
How do we ensure our presence on that day? An African American spiritual song reminds us: Oh sinnerman where you gonna run to / All on that day? There will be no place to hide—the sea is boiling, the rock is melting.
There is a solution! Let us remind ourselves briefly what happens at a typical Christian Eucharistic service. Though I speak from a Roman Catholic background, I trust much of this experience is universal. First, as we begin, we bless ourselves in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit to recall our Baptism and remind ourselves how Jesus removes our sins, doubts and fears.
Second, during the penitential rite, we let Christ’s mercy wash over us and rejoice in his great love. Third, the scripture readings reveal the wisdom and the mysteries of the Word that was made flesh when Christ came to save us. Fourth, we offer first fruits of our blessings to the Lord, together with all our works and prayers of the daily lives of our week.
Finally, after prayers of offering and intercession, the Eucharistic movement begins. For a brief moment we stand at the throne of God and cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” with the elders and the four living creatures (Revelations 4:8). In our very presence the bread and wine become our spiritual food and drink. Heaven is linked to earth, and we joyfully and rightly give thanks!
Through all the seasons of our soul the Good Lord knows our hearts and blesses our efforts. The hope of heaven is our joy as well. Christ has ransomed us from death and joined us to the eternal kingdom. The Good Shepherd still tends his flock, correcting us, pasturing us and giving us rest.
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