We looked at the story of Noah and the Flood this morning from Genesis 6-9. A lot in that story, but for me the thing that stood out today was that Noah was 600 when the Flood came. You are never too old to be used by God. It’s my birthday tomorrow, and although I’m nowhere near Noah’s age, the thought of starting something new is a real possibility for me. It’s quite exciting actually.
During lunch on Friday there is silence as we remember Good Friday. I think silence is a good practice that we don’t have enough of in some of our corporate worship. A chance to hear the still small voice of God. A chance to meditate on God’s word.
The Icon of the Cross
Friday night in Taizé is the prayer around the icon of the cross. The first time I was in Taizé I wasn’t sure what to make of icons and in particular the ceremony that takes place on a Friday. It did seem like a rather unceremonious bun fight as people rushed around the icon of the cross. People would queue for hours on their knees in order to place their forehead on the icon, which had been laid flat on the floor. The symbolic act of laying your prayers, concerns, hopes and fears at the cross. All seemed very medieval and what the protestant church rejected.
However, I have mellowed in my opinion of it. My view had been influenced by the considering of icons as idolatry. But people do not worship the icons, they are a symbolic representation. An act that you can do in the physical to mark what is going on in the spiritual. I have joined the crowds in the past, but chose not to this year. For one thing, the jostling that takes place breaks the mood. I did pray though, and it was good to lift up all the things that had been going on in the two years since my last visit.