Csquared Thoughts

a liturgy of lament

In the October issue of Martin Marty's Context, Marty quotes Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest in New Mexico and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (cacradicalgrace.org). I've quoted Rohr before.

Rohr quotes Walter Brueggemmann, who notes that a third of the Psalms are psalms of lament, but these are not often used in Catholic or Protestant liturgy.

Rohr suggests a new liturgical style:

a prayer form for people longing for peace and justice in church and country, but without any need to blame, accuse, or give answers. We need a liturgical setting that could be lay-led, circular, and without closure, or even final "blessing." It will take practice, but then we can be sent back into our world honest and shared, emotionally cleansed, heartfelt and soulful, out of our controlling heads, ready for guidance, and not even needing to know the shape or the time of Resurrection.

I like that.

In the Congregation

Most Sundays I assist with the Cup at Communion. We have a lack of volunteers, and don't have others who are willing to serve in this way. Which is fine. It's and honor and privilege to to be able to do so.

We have a member of our congregation I'll call Ann. She is a single mom with shared custody of the kids. She'll disappear for months at a time, and then reappear and sign up to assist with the Cup, while recruiting her sons to assist as ushers and her daughter to assist with the Tray. I took that reappearance last week to take a Sunday off from church. I knew Ann and her daughter had the Cup and the Tray covered, and given all the stresses at work, I decided to stay at home and sleep in.

Today she was signed up for the Cup without her kids being there. Now she's done this before and not showed up, so I end up bearing the Cup anyway. Today she was there. I was able to sit in the congregation and take Communion with the rest of the congregation. I enjoyed that.

Next week I am back up at the altar assisting with the Cup. That's fine and good. But I took the time to appreciate today.