November 15, 2023

Over the course of several gatherings I have been asked, "What's your favorite part of worship?"

This question causes you to think intentionally about worship.  It makes you slow down and think through something you might normally go through without thinking.  It helps you pay attention.  It leads you to look forward to a particular part of the service.  It helps you savor that part of worship that you find most meaningful

Over the years, my answer has changed.  During the COVID shutdown when there were only a few people in the building, my answer to that question was when, during the Lord's Prayer, I looked down into the chalice with just a small amount of wine in it, I could see the reflection of the cross on the rood screen behind me.  That was a holy moment in a difficult time.

Lately my answer has been, "Just before the Sanctus." Just before the Sanctus, that ancient anthem of, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might . . ." which has been part of the Eucharist since the 3rd Century, the priest says, "Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name."

At that moment I am reminded that what we do on Sunday morning, and at every eucharistic gathering, is not done in isolation.  What we do on Sunday morning is not confined to just us.  Nor is it confined to just the Episcopal church.  Nor is it confined to those churches who celebrate the Eucharist as we do (Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, for instance). 

When we worship on Sunday morning, and at every eucharistic gathering, we are not only joined with people in the wider Church, but we are joined with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven.  In that moment when we sing the Sanctus we are in a thin place.  We are in a place beyond time and space.  We are in a place of the now of eternity.  We who share in this holy meal are not only bound together with each other, we are bound together with the whole multitude of the faithful who have gone before and who are yet to come.

When you join us for worship, ask yourself, "What's your favorite part?"  And then pay attention to it.  Look forward to it.  Savor it.  And in that moment know that you are near to God and the whole host of heaven.

Blessings,

Todd+