Welcome to my little "dwelling in the evening air" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Images and words snatched from passing days | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| lots of little pictures, underwater and above. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| I slpash through the waters, and wander through the world, and my soul beckons onward to the journey within. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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They have provided me with many hours of deep meditation and prayer in their creation. The 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church are very much a part of my everyday life. I have written several paragraphs for each of them, describing the meanings and symbols, and my own journey with each. MARRIAGE: The jugs of water from the wedding feast at Canna stand on a stone floor. As the water is poured into the glass, it becomes fine wine. The image of a man and woman entwined in an embrace are within the flowing liquid. As the blessed waters flow over the lives of the married couple, their lives are transformed miraculously into something beautiful and precious, something more than the sum of both their beings. There is a flare of light from a source not identified. It refracts into two circular, unending bands of colored light, very much like wedding bands. The Light is visible in the life of the marriage. The source of Light is beyond our view, where the two shall be as one. ANOINTING: The fabric of our life is woven with the threads of many colors, the colors of anticipation, celebration, penance, suffering, the joy of ordinary time; indeed, the colors of the Liturgical Year are our very own life. When the fabric is torn, frayed and fearful edges facing empty and unknown spaces, the healing sacred oil is poured onto the wounded fabric, the person. The healing that takes place flows deep into the soul of the person, healing both spiritually and physically. The fabric is an image of the soul, the oil an image of the external, the physical, as well as the spiritual. RECONCILIATION: The familiar image of sheep is a peaceful one, all are in unison and safety. The one stray sheep finds itself far from the safety of the fold, caught in the thorns and brambles of it's own design. It is beyond the strength of the lost lamb to free itself, and so it cries out to the shepherd in contrition and longing. With tender, loving hands, the shepherd reaches deep into the tangles and snares that bind, even though it brings pain and suffering to the shepherd himself. It is only in calling out that the lost lamb can be reconciled with the shepherd and the flock. CONFIRMATION: The hands of the bishop are laid upon the candidate in prayer. Behind them are the open doors of the Church. With the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are strengthened to go forward into the world with the Good News. In another way, the doors of the Church remain always open to us. No matter how far we wander, we confirm our belonging every time we enter those doors, wherever they may be around the world. In the Sacrament, the doors of every church are opened to us, to enter the sanctuary of safety, to leave as witnesses to Christ. The Light streams in through the open door. When the doors of out spirit are fully open, as signified by Confirmation, the Light from Light enters our body, mind and soul. Above the head of the girl is a barely seen image of a dove, with tongues of fire within it. The Spirit of God is always present, but not always clearly seen. It is seen "...dimly, as through a mirror...' ORDINATION: Upon the Rock that is the Church, there rest the symbols of Holy Orders. At the pinnacle of the Rock, imbedded into the stone itself, is the Mitre of the Pope, the leader of the Church. Being one with the rock signifies the unbreakable bond between Christ and His Church. A Bishop's staff rest beside the rock; the Shepherd is given the task of watching over the flock. The stole of the priest and deacon lie draped over the Rock. The Rock is their resting place, their strength. Colors of the Liturgical Year are banded behind the image, with blue below the rock, further suggesting a rock that stands firm against flood and tempest. EUCHARIST: The cross is laid down, it's use is finished. A single nail is stark reminder of it's original purpose. Upon the wood, there is draped a white cloth, symbol of Christ's Resurrection. It acts as a tablecloth, the folds in the cloth are a reference to Salvadore Dali's painting,"The Sacrament of The Last Supper." The folded cloth is much like us, imperfect, ordinary, folded and flawed, but welcome at the table. The glass of wine and broken bread are the Body and Blood of Jesus, the same Jesus who hung upon this cross. The miracle in the Eucharist is that His true Presence appears to us as mere bread and wine. BAPTISM: The sky and landscape are grey and barren, offering no comfort to a soul estranged from God. The flowing, raging waters imply danger, death; but beyond all this lies a land of living promise, where even Lilies grow as symbol of Christ's Resurrection. Upon the large rock that is the Church, there is a brilliant white robe, the new garment given to those who emerge from the waters of Baptism. Emblazoned upon the front of the robe is the name of the Christ, to whom all baptized belong. White light shines down from heaven upon the robe. God touches the fabric of the lives of those who are called. Three separate beams of the same light are reminder of the triune being of God. | |||||||||||||||||||
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