I was sitting in the small chapel waiting to see if anyone was going to join me for worship on a rainy-remember-your-Baptism-July evening, listening to God, talking back to God, and listening some more.
I was looking around the room and reflecting on what is important to me as a fellow-prodigal pilgrim in the Way. I see the Baptismal Font off to the left, sitting underneath the windows that are streaked with rain on one side and condensation on the other. So fitting that so much water is visible around the font--were it sitting outside it would likely overflow with rain water. Again, a fitting image. I try not to think of how much I don't like the orange copper bowl and wooden stand--but then I remember it's not the style of font that matters, it's the grace we find there.
My eyes move to the table, covered with linen cloth. I can smell the beeswax candles burning there. I see the chalice and paten, prepared to offer the bread of heaven and wine of new life. I forgot to stop at the commissary to buy a loaf of bread, so there are wafers. Yuck. I am reminded of hearing a child talking to the priest I serve with about preparing for first communion. The child said, "But, Father, the wafers taste...BAD!" "But the love of Jesus is delicious," the priest responded. Yes, even wafers and their poster board texture and paper like flavor can convey the delicious love of Christ.
The Book is sitting closed on the lectern, tabbed at the Hebrew Scripture Lesson and the Psalm. I am struck this evening by the eulogy that David gives to Saul at the opening of 2 Samuel, the lesson I am teaching from this evening. David weeps over the death of Saul; he tells his minstrels to teach this lamentation to the people. David gives love to the man who hunted him, who tracked him down and persecuted him. David sings in his honor and I pray that, someday, my heart will be like David's.
The things in this room: the water, the wafers, the wine, the Word--these things can open us to become like David, and even like David's greater Son. These things are important to me. I can sing the old hymn, the old camp meeting songs, the not so old praise choruses, and even the new contemporary music. They all convey holy messages and bring our hearts into the presence of the Divine. But these things--the water, the wafers, the wine, the Word--these bring the presence of the Divine into our hearts and that's what makes them so important.
