If He Built It… It Will Come

Sermon begins at 27:36

Manuscript: Proper 12, Year A, 7-26-20Download

Lectionary Texts:
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

• 

Artist’s Reflections: … “There are sacred places throughout the world for all beliefs, places that have special meaning in the lives of people who journey to get there. They experience a centering, a healing, and a safe place to remember and to hope. The journey or procession takes us out of our ordinary lives to experience a transcendental or universal connection. The outward walk reflects an inner journey. We have taken the steps to move to another space in the journey of our lives.

In the Buddhist tradition, the mandala is used for spiritual centering. I see a form of mandala in the PROCESSION. As in the mandala, there is a complexity of images where all elements and ideas are drawn to the center. These images encircle the people. This picture gives us a connection, setting us apart from the extraneous happenings and distractions that surround our lives. It helps to focus our attention. It can provide us with the opportunity to stand back and review each of the scenes in ways that help us engage in contemplation and calm reflection on our complex lives. It becomes a metaphor for our own experiences.

The great procession is a celebration of life and faith where the rich and poor march in unison; the strong carry the weak, and the weak humble the proud; those who know the dance teach those who are just learning; and a child lifts high the banner for all to follow in joy, in peace, in love. This is the reality, the spirit I want to make real in this work.”