Sacred Connections: Time
Many of us are experiencing significant intensity in these waning days of October. Concerns regarding the increasing incidence of Covid-19 are intensifying as we hear of more people infected, exposed, or in quarantine. For many of us, if we’re not directly affected, we know people who are. Election day is relentlessly approaching, although many of us have already voted by now. After the intensity of pre-election rhetoric and activity we may be feeling anticipation or fear, excitement or dread, or all of the above.
The combination of COVID-19 and this particular election seems to have a compounding effect and ripple effect that go beyond a virus and an election and tap into many other concerns. And this is before we even touch on our individual circumstances, longings and challenges. This continues to be a long-distance trek that we’re on as we try to manage through these tumultuous times and hold hope for simpler times ahead. Pacing ourselves is important. We need time and space to catch our breath.
The Rev. Philip DeVaul’s blog post earlier this week reminded us of The Way of Love and the seven spiritual practices that reflect an Episcopal rule of life. Much wisdom, sustenance and grounding may be found in these practices, and they may be particularly helpful right now. We all need time and space each day to experience God’s presence and love.
“Time”, itself, can be a comfort too. A dear friend has said to me on many an occasion, “You can’t stop the clock.” I’ve always found these words both frustrating and surprisingly comforting. The message is that whatever we are thinking or trying to accomplish, time continues, in some ways time is the great leveler. Regardless of due dates, calendar entries, major events, calamities, our best mapped out plans, time simply keeps moving forward. We cannot stop time.
So it is also with the Church Calendar; the Church Calendar simply continues and I’m finding that to be of particular comfort and solace this year. This weekend we will be celebrating All Saints’ Sunday and as is our tradition, we will read aloud the names of those who have died in the past twelve months. This is always a poignant time, remembering with both grief and gratitude those who have touched our lives so deeply, and who now are in the company of the saints in light. Perhaps this day feels even more poignant this year because some of the names are of people we saw regularly on our Sundays in the church worship space; and we know we will not see them in their usual places when we are able to be back in the pews. All Saints’ Sunday feels especially moving this year.
This Monday, not officially on the liturgical calendar, but very much on our Church of the Redeemer calendar, we will have an Election Eve Vigil. This is a time to come together virtually and pray for our country, our communities, and the human family. This offers a time and space beyond partisanship and divide, where we are united as children of God, called to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In late November, the season of Advent will begin, marking the start of the new liturgical year. Advent will begin regardless of election results and challenges, regardless of the coronavirus, regardless of what else might be happening in our lives in the weeks ahead. The season of Advent invites us to wait with each other in this time of expectancy of the new life, the new promise that might come forth in this new year. Advent invites us to a place of greater stillness as we sit with what is, and bear witness to what God beckons forth.
Nothing stops the clock. Nothing stops the Church Calendar. Nothing stops the constant invitation we have to live our lives in community with each other, and to walk in Christ’s love.
