This morning I finished up my article for the April newsletter. I want to share it with you a little early because it will segue into tonight's adult study discussion. Here it is:
Years ago Cherilyn brought me a print she bought from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She correctly knew that I would like it because it looked like an illuminated manuscript adorned with embellished Latin. For a long time I thought the Latin phrase that dominated the print, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum was Shakespeare's famous line from As You Like It, "All the world's a stage." That shows you how rusty my Latin is. Actually Theatrum Orbis Terrarum means "theatre of the world" and the print was from the first modern atlas created in the 16th century. "Theatre of the world." "All the world's a stage." Church.
As Episcopalians we have a connection to the liturgy (worship) of the Church in a way that makes us unique among our sister denominations. That connection, while being very real, is often hard to explain. We are protective of our liturgy and we value even the smallest act or detail that from the outside may seem insignificant or even petty. Deep down in our liturgical DNA, however, we know that the Church is the "Theatre of the Universe" and is the stage in which the drama of our salvation is played out each and every week.
This is especially true during the season of Lent and Holy Week. The hard truth of human sin and suffering is presented in real dramatic fashion in our liturgies. What is more dramatic that having a cross of ash inscribed on the forehead with the words, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return?" But at the same time, the Theatre of the Universe also presents in dramatic fashion the love of God. Every Sunday liturgy in Lent begins, "Bless the Lord who forgives our sins. His mercy endures for ever."
Worship is a play, but not in the sense that it is make-believe. Worship is a play in that the eternal is presented and the unfolding story of human beings returning to the love of their Creator fills every scene and act.
To say "Alleluia, Christ is Risen" is not just to make a theological statement, it is to join in a chorus. It's a chorus not only sung here, but everywhere and in all times. The beauty of our liturgies is that all the Church is a stage and every worshiper plays a part. The liturgy draws us into the story and gives us a role because we share in God's story! There are no minor characters. There are no understudies. There are no stage hands.
We are all in the spotlight of God's love. We bask in this love in the liturgy as the story is played out. The Church is the Theatre of the Universe. Let us come not to watch, but to act out God's salvation.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
The Lord is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
Tonight we will explore the drama of liturgy with an emphasis on the drama of Holy Week - Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. This is my favorite topic.
A couple of other things:
Today is the Feast of the Annunciation. Take a moment to meditate on the Archangel Gabriel visiting Mary and saying, "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
Also, some previews into our new website that will be unveiled soon.
The video from Sunday's sermon is here .
Some pictures from the past few weeks are here .
--
Fr. Steve Rice
Rector, St Timothy's Episcopal Church
Winston-Salem, NC
www.sttimothys.ws
www.sttims.blogspot.com
336.765.0294
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