Lenten Process
A description of the chancel piece constructed during Lent, 2013
Lent is a time to prepare for both a tragedy of the death of old ways and the joyful celebration of new beginnings. It is a period in the Christian spiritual calendar that brings us close to pain, agony and suffering. This period is one with which we are uncomfortable and often try to avoid. However, we need to touch those times as well and find a way to understand the processes that cause us and others pain. If we do not open ourselves to the process of crucifixion, how will we ever really experience the full joy of resurrection?
Here are some questions that cause me to propose this process piece:
1. What does it mean to construct our own personal place of crucifixion? Why do we participate in this? Why did the crowds welcome Jesus, crown him as a hero and then turn on him? What do we see as a savior and then find it is not what we wanted after all? We are part of the crowds. How do we participate in the crucifixion?
2. Who or what helps us create our Golgothas today ? What is the meaning of a place of crucifixion and what meaning is there in resurrection?
3. What are the pieces of our cross that we put into place?
4. What old ways were killed by the death of Christ? What new ways were opened?
There are three key parts to this process:
Building the Crucifixion: Construction too place each week of Lent by piecing together the parts of each section. The process began with a bare stage with only a ladder and the base that included the Verbs of Lent. This ladder also held the cloth that would eventually drape the piece; i.e., a sign of ultimate destruction in clear view from the beginning.
False triumph: On Palm Sunday, the piece was draped very formally in gold and fronds. During the final choral number, a congregant came to the front and removed the bouquet of flowers from the center. Other congregants came forward and place a bowl, a pitcher and a towel. Finally, two congregants came from the side and draped one section a dark fabric and the service ended.
Celebration of the Resurrection of New Life: On Easter morning, the entire installation was draped in many colors and included strings of chranes folded by the children of RMC. Easter has arrived. Resurrection has taken place. We can move forward with new life.
No Comments