Every year, our “Fall Triduum” of All
Hallow’s, All Saints, and All Souls
becomes more precious to me as each one
focuses my attention on how connected we are
to not only those who are alive, but to all
those who have gone before us –
relatives, friends, enemies, muses,(i.e.
the communion of saints.)
Yesterday we celebrated All Saints
Sunday
with one of the most “thin place” services
of the year –
the one in which we commemorate all the
saints
by posting their names on the walls of the
sanctuary.
+++
Whether they are from long
ago....
(Saint Leontia)
Or more recently...
(Jill Cooper, a friend)
Or a close relative like my
father,
(Kenneth)
Or even the name of a woman
who has the same name of my
own mother who is still alive!
(Ok, I have to admit,
it was pretty weird to see
my mother on the wall)...
What wasn’t weird or strange was the
feeling of their presence in the room with us.
What the Celts call a “thin
place”
All of us together. In one
place.
One very “thin” place.
These 3 days are as intertwined as a Celtic Knot.
With themes of death and
resurrection,
we are reminded that there is no beginning
or ending to our souls.
We move and have our being in a continuous
flow of God’s love,
knowing that we are always in the presence
of God.
“Beannacht De le hanama na
marbh
(The blessing of God on the souls of the
dead.)
Ta siad imithe ar shli na
firinne
(They are gone on the way of
truth.”)
Irish Blessing
So until it is our time to join all those
saints who have gone before us on the way of truth,
may we continue to enjoy their presence,
and
walk in love, seeking and serving Christ in
all we meet today.
(last photo is of Fall colors outside
the Columbarium at St. Paul’s)
Posts
