Our normal ways of doing life have been radically interrupted
by the coronavirus pandemic. Finding healthy and productive routines proves to
be a challenge for everyone I speak with. Isolation from friends and extended
family while experiencing hyperbolic interactions within our sheltered homes produces
a yearning for the good old days of being able to freely associate when and
where we desire.
With so much put on hold we crave any sliver of normalcy
that we can cling to, but we may of necessity learn new ways to experience
normal. With Holy Week upon us one of the biggest topics of late is when will we
be able to freely assemble in our various houses of worship. Many churches are
making use of technology and a few are defying CDC guidance to cancel large
public gatherings. How we “do” church seems to have become more important than “being”
the church.
This reminds me of when St. Stephen laid out how the Temple had
become the focus of Hebrew worship proclaiming "However, the Most High
does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 'Heaven is My
throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the
LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these
things?'" (Acts 7:48-50)
Our dependence on a prescribed time and place to do church
is an impediment to authentic relationships that should exist outside the four
walls of the church building. That dependence on a prescribed time and place for
worship also hinders our fully experiencing the Living creator of the Universe on
a daily basis.
I wrote in an earlier blog post:
“I am trying to see the sacred in everyday moments realizing
that family life, interactions with friends and strangers, even putting in an
honest day’s work are all sacred expressions of being in the Way. I am trying
to develop a daily spiritual practice, knowing that committing to it isn’t the
way to salvation but only a way to help me keep a spiritual focus throughout
the day. I prefer quiet moments, spending time in nature, prayer, and reading
the Psalms as ways to help me focus.”
Hopefully when this pandemic is over we will have found for
ourselves a more deeply personal faith that in turn moves us to nurture authentic
relationships with our neighbors rather than returning to a church in isolation
behind stained glass windows.
Peace, Love and Light!
Kevin (Cloud)
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