Occasio

Celtic Communion

Today the students I work with in the Contemporary Christian Ministries major led a wonderful chapel for Fresno Pacific University (pictures here). Through worship, word and a Celtic communion the students brought us to a place of reflection and contemplation on the life and death of Christ. Nick sang a song that he wrote reminding us that Jesus is the savior, not the institutional church. Gina painted a beautiful still life of a cup and loaf of bread. Jordan gave a devotional and reminded us that we are not only to remember Jesus' death but also his life. Emily led a quiet and contemplative communion. Lorraine read from the Book of Common Prayers to close the service.

The communion time was rich with visuals - artistic interpretations of the crucifixion as painted in other countries. There was also music from Eden's Bridge, a contemporary Celtic group, and lots of space and time to take part in communion with all of the senses. The Celts had a holistic way of looking at life. There was no separation between secular and sacred, or flesh and spirit. We were challenged to consider creation, our bothers and sisters, our enemies, and the death of Christ.

It was a time of quiet celebration and rich meditation within the glow of the candles and the presence of the risen Christ. He is risen indeed!

"Flame of Love", an ancient Celtic prayer

God kindle Thou in my heart within

A flame of love to my neighbor:

To my foe, my friend, to my kindred all,

To the brave, to the knave, to the thrall.

O Son of the loveliest Mary,

From the lowliest thing that liveth,

To the Name that is highest of all.

A representation of the crucifixion from India

Lokahi

On Saturday, April 8, we gathered in our home instead of Aloha Stadium. We gathered in honor of what was supposed to be the final concert of U2's Vertigo tour. The band had to postpone the last ten shows because of  the illness of a family member of one of the band (see Hold Me Now for a previous post on this). But the spirit of the final concert lived on even if the concert itself didn't.

Ten of us brandished our favorite U2 shirts (mine is "Dismantle"), enjoyed a meal (an impromptu luau), shared favorite concert memories, and discussed themes, soundbites, books and quotes by Bono and his mates. Our goal was to watch the Vertigo 05 concert, but as we reflected on Bono's speech (no, that's too shallow -- sermon is better) at the National Prayer Breakfast, someone had the idea to watch the presentation again. I called it up and sent it to the TV screen.

For me, two things happened. First, I have read the speech many times, but that does not compare to watching Bono's passion and hearing the intensity of his voice as he builds a case from the prophets and the gospels for compassion on Africa. (The same can be said of listening to the full six-hour Rolling Stone interview rather than just reading excerpt in the mag.) We sat in silence, spell bound by the man's charisma as we watched the streaming video. Second, viewing the presentation was one of the best "supporting acts" we could have seen before the Vertigo concert. Bono's well-supported arguments for justice and equality were not only sustained, but were amplified and expanded through Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Where the Streets Have No Names, One and 40. "How long to sing this song?" A song of justice, a song of salvation, a song of shalom....

Lokahi means "unity" in Hawaii. It is the theme that locals and other followers were promoting for the April 8th concert. Some day in late 2006 we will experience it in Aloha Stadium, but on Saturday we found it in our living room.

Find the video of Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast here.

Find the transcript of the message here.

The Rolling Stone podcasts are available here.