Clothesline 294 "Spirituality of Place"

Last week’s Clothesline Edition was missing because my husband Joel and I were away for a week visiting family, returning yesterday. And while I was reading a book on the return flight home, God gave me the perfect message to share with you today.

The book is called Chasing Francis. It’s about an Episcopal priest named Chace Falson who has lost his faith. He is asked to take some time away from his mega-parish to sort out his issues. So, he crosses the Atlantic, specifically to Assisi, to visit his uncle, a Franciscan priest where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and rediscovers his ancient faith.

My first experience with this book was many years ago, listening to the audio version in my car during my long daily drives to my former church in Lake Placid. And, as often happens, when one hears or reads the same thing multiple times, a precious nugget will jump out—something I hadn’t thought of before—and it made me think of our Easter at Good Shepherd.

The Franciscan priest asks his nephew Chase a question: “Have you ever heard of the ‘spirituality of place?’ Chases says he hasn’t, and his uncle responds:

“When a pilgrim visits a sacred place and hears the story of what happened there, something mystical happens. The spiritual energy from that past event is released and speaks to the heart of the pilgrim. Especially when you combine it with a ritual.” (1)

My eyes widened and I read it again: a sacred place…something mystical happens…combined with ritual. Of course, the story was referring to being in the holy place where Francis of Assisi lived. But in my mind’s eye, I saw our Easter Sunday service, a nearly full sanctuary, and the holy “presence” of the Spirit of God all around us as we prayed, sang, and worshipped together. If there ever was a sacred place where spiritual energy was released, combined with our holy ritual of Communion, that…was our Easter Sunday.

I challenge you to find your own “spirituality of place.” We are all pilgrims on a journey to holiness, and my prayer is that you will experience such spiritual energy in all our Sunday worship. Invite someone to join you so that they too have the opportunity to experience…spirituality of place. They will not be disappointed!

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(1) Chasing Francis; Ian Morgan Cron; pg.42