Snow days...

Today was a snow day... of sorts. The flakes are REALLY falling right now and will probably amount to something by tomorrow, but folks have been waiting in worry all day long for something that hasn't yet arrived. To be sure, south of us they've really been socked: NYC cancelled school, the DC area is under a second deluge and the mid-Atlantic states are trying to dig out of what happened last week. But the Berkshires are just beautiful - tranquil and quiet - as the storm begins to pick up speed.

This little break gave me a chance to lay the ground work for our Good Friday liturgy. As some of you know, I have been exploring the intersection of the ancient tradition and popular culture for the past 8-10 years. This year's theme is emerging as something I am calling "Songs of Solace Amidst the Suffering."

+ Each of my band mates has selected a song that has brought them both comfort and perspective during times of trial in their lives. So far this includes Leonard Cohen's "Joan of Arc," Meatloaf's "Heaven Can Wait," JJ Heller's "Your Hands" and a gospel-like original by my other guitar player, "Gonna Be a Brighter Day."

+ We are finding readings from scripture and poetry that speak the word of God's presence and light within the darkness, too. One of my favorites is this from Scott Cairns called "Blood Atonement." It is a killer.

This much we might say with some assurance:
a crucifixion occurred, apparently
gratuitous, but a harsh intersection –
tree and flesh and some iron. We might add
that sufficient blood resulted to bring about
a death, the nature of which we still puzzle.

As to why? Why the blood? Why the puzzle?
It seems that no one who knows is saying,
which is not to say we lack opinion.

Still, while we suffer no shortage of dire
speculation, hardly any of it
has given us anything like a clue.

All we dare say is that it was necessary;
that we have somehow become both culprit
and beneficiary, and that we

Are left to something quite like a response
to that still lost blood, to the blameless world.

+ And then there are the great hymns of the tradition: Precious Lord, Were You There, Amazing Grace, I Wonder as I Wander, Over My Head - and one of my all time favorites - Wayfaring Stranger. (Man I hope I can find a fiddler!)


I give thanks to God for snow days - musical mates with creativity and talent - and a way to explore God's loving presence from within the hard places.