Wednesday, February 21, 2007
The Season of Bright Sadness
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent and seems an especially appropriate day to begin our smoking cessation seminar. Lent is a 40 day (not including Sundays) build up to Easter -- a time to give up something we desire to remind us of our sinful state and provide opportunity to reflect on what the incarnation of Christ means to us. The Greek Orthodox church calls this the season of "Bright Sadness," as it is a time of both celebration and mourning. Lent serves to highlight the reality of our human existence in which we face darkness and suffering as well as joy and exultation. This season of shadow which inspires a longing for the brilliance of the resurrection resonates with our Adventist notion that things will get worse on this earth before they get better. Fasting of whatever type highlights our mortality and makes our presence in the eternal Kingdom of God all the more poignant. Those who choose to give up a cherished addiction can experience this dark time of withdrawal with our community for support, the promise of freedom to light the way, and the power of God to bring completion.
"Almighty God, you have created me out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to me a sign of my mortality and penitence, that I may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen" -- Book of Common Prayer.
"Almighty God, you have created me out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to me a sign of my mortality and penitence, that I may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen" -- Book of Common Prayer.
Labels: Lent, religion, smoking
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Funny you would have a post today --Ash Wednesday.
I just told Yung that I thought I would benefit from had this ritual. He wondered if we could inconspicuously attend a Catholic church---
I would benefit from meaningful liturgy. I am grateful to have casual/real moments in many of our SDA churches. Yet sometimes I feel a need to say and partake of something structured and steeped in history.
I just told Yung that I thought I would benefit from had this ritual. He wondered if we could inconspicuously attend a Catholic church---
I would benefit from meaningful liturgy. I am grateful to have casual/real moments in many of our SDA churches. Yet sometimes I feel a need to say and partake of something structured and steeped in history.
# posted by 
: 7:51 PM
: 7:51 PM
So did you inconspicuously attend an Ash Wednesday service?
It would be hard not knowing the liturgy. I'd probably get caught standing when I should be kneeling or bowing when I should be genuflecting!
I agree. I love the casual/real moments and yet I would benefit from a meaningful liturgy as well. I was struck by the history and meaning behind the liturgy for Ash Wednesday when I read it. It is humbling and moving to think that though sinful mortals we are swept up in something and someone bigger than ourselves, our local community, our denomination, or even our religion.
It would be hard not knowing the liturgy. I'd probably get caught standing when I should be kneeling or bowing when I should be genuflecting!
I agree. I love the casual/real moments and yet I would benefit from a meaningful liturgy as well. I was struck by the history and meaning behind the liturgy for Ash Wednesday when I read it. It is humbling and moving to think that though sinful mortals we are swept up in something and someone bigger than ourselves, our local community, our denomination, or even our religion.
We are not the only Adventists interested in the benefits of a meaningful liturgy. The comments under Julius Nam's post I am the Ghost of Ash Wednesday are intriguing. This trend has been noted in post-evangelical circles and it seems this would include the Adventist church.
I've grown up in the adventist church but I went to a secular college and during the time I was there I sang with a nondenominational college choir. I've gone with close friends to other churches to visit.
You will not feel unduly lost in the service. There are often older people there who are slow to stand due to infirmity which makes them a beat behind most of the crowd.
The service is different but you will be ok. I am a little concerned about your need for ritual. I have a close catholic friend and I was curious about prayer beads and what they meant and as I asked him it became clear that he was uncertain about what they meant. He said the ritual was mysterious to him and that he took comfort in the ritual itself.
It seems to me that to be lost in the form is to loose sight of the living Christ.
Still there will come a time when Saints of every denomination will come out and become the body of Christ. Your getting to know them and you getting to know them may make it easier but please be critical of what you see and hear so that you don't get swept away by the magic of the ritual. But take what you can that appeals to you spiritually if it gains you a closer walk with Christ
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You will not feel unduly lost in the service. There are often older people there who are slow to stand due to infirmity which makes them a beat behind most of the crowd.
The service is different but you will be ok. I am a little concerned about your need for ritual. I have a close catholic friend and I was curious about prayer beads and what they meant and as I asked him it became clear that he was uncertain about what they meant. He said the ritual was mysterious to him and that he took comfort in the ritual itself.
It seems to me that to be lost in the form is to loose sight of the living Christ.
Still there will come a time when Saints of every denomination will come out and become the body of Christ. Your getting to know them and you getting to know them may make it easier but please be critical of what you see and hear so that you don't get swept away by the magic of the ritual. But take what you can that appeals to you spiritually if it gains you a closer walk with Christ
# posted by : 2:30 AM
: 2:30 AMSubscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
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