Sunday, July 1, 2007

Dear God,

Sunday morning in Maine is a time to prepare for worship at the ocean. We always try to arrive early so we can find a seat close to the altar. St. Anne's offers a beautiful opportunity to experience God in an outdoor setting.

We invited our friends who do not normally attend church to join us for this special occasion. Having lost faith in institutionalized religion, they have stayed away, preferring a spiritual experience at home void of community. But the trouble is that the void is greater than the spiritual. We were grateful to have them with us.

We sat on the front row opposite the Bush family, having a bird's eye view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Cool and breezy, the gray skies allowed the sun to poke through as we worshipped the God of all creation. We sang our songs accappella, lead by the priest who apologized because the songleader wasn't able to be present.

Holy Communion reminds us why we worship, why we come together, why our hearts beat with God's loving compassion. We stood in place while the priest and his lay helper served us..."the body of Christ, the blood of Christ offered..." We always hold our hands outward, palms up as the wafer is placed in our hands. Quite literally we hold Christ in our hands. At least that is how Catholics believe. I stand in their camp. I want to hold Christ. For me it is an act of faithful love.

Wrapped in my dark blue acrylic poncho, I felt your love wrapping me, keeping me warm, teaching me your message of grace. As together we offered our concluding prayer, I knew my life had intersected with yours this morning. I was refreshed by your spirit. Once again I knew why I had come. The truth had set me free one more time.

Sovereign God,
your majesty
impregnates the air.
At the moment of worship
the air is filled with God,
filled with you,
even more greatly
than on common days.
Our hearts are open,
ready,
willing
to listen.
One more time.

Love always, Andrea