In my reflections, if a bona fide member of the academy comments that my reflection contains either an original thought or argument, I will note it in that reflection. Also, if it is brought to my attention that what I have said is also mentioned in another source, I will also note it. My intention in these reflections is to stimulate inquiry, imagination, and broadening of horizons.- JP

Note: The most recent reflection is at the top and my first is at the bottom. You can either start at the bottom of the well and swim up or start at the top and dive in, your choice. – JP

13 Hours           

Winter Solstice (12/21/09)

I used to not pay much attention to the passing of either solstice other than to be disappointed in the loss of sunshine or the amount of darkness. I really did not care why it happened, only that I might be inconvenienced. This Winter solstice, however, paying closer attention to what is happening is proving to be enjoyable rather than disappointing.

Some of the enjoyment comes from thinking about the people past who determined the need to mark the event. I really would like to meet, not the person who determined the need to mark the event, but the person who was sent out to align the markers. Think about that person. At the very best, it would have taken only a year. I suspect, however, that it took much longer. How many cycles occurred before the placement of the markers was not questioned? How many times did the weather affect the observation? If you have ever been in England, the sun is blocked by weather at the most inopportune times. My imagination also leads me to wonder how did the person placing the markers keep competitors from either moving or removing them. Once the markers were established, I wonder how they were used.

Were they used simply to make an observation, or were they used for a spectrum of reasons. That spectrum could extend from those who used the marker to designate the time for a ritual in which they pleaded with nature to not leave them in darkness to those who marked the day as a time of celebration that nature’s cycles repeated in a pattern which provided for their sustenance.

Although it took me several years past my exposure to astronomy in school to be able to visualize the tilted earth revolving around the sun and the reason for the seasons, I never felt the impulse to perform a blood sacrifice to get the sun to rise and the winter to end. I also, until recently, did not feel a compulsion to mark this astronomical moment with any extended celebration. My position has changed.

Thanking God for this creation and marveling at its complexity in awe filled silence definitely has its place. In addition, I have also experienced that a lively, community expression of joy for the beautiful complexity of creation is also as necessary. The Celtic based observance I experienced this solstice fused the tactile, transcendent, primal, intellectual, scientific, and theological into a focus on embracing the night because it brings the day and embracing the light that fills both day and night.

I did not get to check to see if the marker I placed in my yard was correct because the sun has not shone this day on my yard for the past three years. I did however, quietly note internally that I will enjoy the next Winter Solstice as much as I will enjoy the warmth of the next Summer Solstice. Listen for the drums, cymbals and didgeridoo so you can enjoy it too.

JP+

Beautiful Darkness (11/13/09)

From the Green of the Season of Pentecost to the White of Christ the King to the Blue of Advent, the start of the journey into beautiful darkness. Beautiful darkness? Are you kidding? There’s nothing beautiful about darkness, ever been on Hiway 95 after dark trying to get home? Well, yes, but that is not the darkness I am talking about. Without putting yourself at risk, find time to go out when it is dark to a place with as few lights as possible. This seems to work the best in Winter.

There is something about the dark and cold of the night which puts you in a very contemplative frame of mind. There is also something about that crystal clear darkness which allows you to see farther. It’s not oppressive, but actually freeing. You get a sense of the majesty and wonder of Creation and the anticipation of not only the coming morning, but an anticipation of a wondrous change. I believe it is that anticipation of change which the early Christians wanted to incorporate into their worship of Jesus as much as anything. True, it made sense to give a different meaning to the already established pagan rituals which accompanied the change of the season. However, whether it was articulated or not, there was that age old experience of change which permeated any celebration associated with this time of year in the Northern climes.

Most of us do not spend a month talking about our birthday to come. If we celebrate it at all, it’s most likely a one day event. The Christian community, however, developed a liturgical season for the anticipation of Jesus’ birth. How that liturgical season is celebrated speaks to the theology of the community. That may seem obvious, but the striking differences speak to the diverse ways God is worshiped; with passion. But I am firmly convinced that underneath all the varied expressions is a primal need to engage the change of the season. A need to make sense of what is happening. A need to be more than a passenger on a rock watching the stars move and the sky change. A need to find out what is unique about the birth of Jesus.

Advent, literally “coming to”, gives us a time to focus on the prophetic message of God’s entrance into our physical lives. A time to contemplate the end of the world as we know it and the change brought about by Jesus’ reconciling transition. A time to be immersed in that vibrant darkness and say, Wow!!!

JP+

Beginning (10/29/09)

The first snow of the season came to Sandpoint today, the start of Winter. I know it is viewed by many as an end and not a beginning. But as we begin a new phase of our ministry, I see it as a beginning. Snow is cleansing. Even as it goes back and forth between rain and snow, the ground [and the crawl space in my house] is being prepared to accept the water it will hold until Spring. The streets are being washed by nature as is our furniture when the dog gets past us at the door and comes in to shake off the rain. Time seems to settle.

What does not settle, however, is the effort it takes to move forward into the not yet known. I am struck by the starkness of meeting people as the first followers of Jesus did; no church building, no pews, no membership rolls, no limits. It is even more stark when this effort is compared to how church has operated for the last 1700 years. For us, it is back to Jesus’ method; no coercion, live your belief.

Winter is a good time to embark on this mission. It is a good time because the movement into the dark days is like moving into a warm bed and crawling under the big down comforter knowing sleep refreshes and you always wake to a new day. It is also a good time, because I am an unabashed cheerleader for Saint Nicholas. Not the Coca-Cola version, but the Saint Nicholas whose spirit of giving has fueled our imagination and spirit for centuries.

God bless us all who are moving into Winter’s embrace as well as those who are now being warmed by lengthening days. May we be ever mindful to respect the dignity of every human being and all of creation as we live into God’s blessing.

JP+