Categories: uncategorized
Date: 25 March 2005 00:47:23
Symbolism in church speaks to me, often far more than words can. I'm not saying words are not important, far from it, but simple acts of ceremony, or particular changes in the furnishings or colours, stir up something deep within me.
Last night I went to the Anglican parish of St James', King Street for the Maundy Thursday service. The footwashing communicated humility clearly, but the most moving part for me was the stripping of the sanctuary. Before this occurred, the Blessed Sacrament was processed into a side chapel, decorated with plants, symbolising Jesus' going to the Garden of Gethsemane, from fellowship with His disciples to isolation. The lights were dimmed. Darkness.
After the priest spoke the words "And they all forsook him and fled", the symbol of Christ in our midst, the altar, was stripped bare. The sanctuary was stripped: the hanging sanctuary lamp was taken down; the candles were extinguished and removed. Darkness came. Christ is stripped of his power and glory.
People departed in silence, recalling that the first disciples in their fear fled, and said nothing to anybody.