By: Wendy Morical
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)
Last Sunday, the sound of Tom and Quinn’s tubulum, a home-made musical instrument created from various lengths of PVC pipe mounted in a particle board frame, resonated through Pilgrim’s sanctuary. While singing, we were guided by Quinn and Tom’s spirited playing as they thwacked out a familiar refrain: “joyful music leads us onward in the triumph song of life.” It was joyful! From my vantage point, I could see broad smiles on faces all around the Sanctuary as the tubulum played. It was a little silly, too.
Our Palm Sunday service was designed to go “from silly to somber,” according to Pastor Laura, and it did, indeed, end on a somber note. The beginning of the service was lively, though. If you watch the recording, you can see and hear people passing the windows in a procession and then entering the Sanctuary with shouts of Hosanna, hosanna! During the sermon, we were reminded that our “odd parade” was an echo of Christ’s followers long ago who unashamedly and illogically stepped up and recognized Jesus, a humble man, as the Son of God. Pastor Laura called us to join the “ancient procession of bravery and hope” in our words and actions – even those that sometime seem a little silly.
The Apostle Paul writes about being fools for Christ. He countered and challenged the self-satisfaction of the people of Corinth; people who derived power from their wisdom and righteousness and boasted of their spiritual attainments. Early Christians were definitely ‘out there’, speaking boldly about ideas that were unpopular, suffering ridicule from all sides. They were willing, however, to suffer the insults because of their conviction. We continue this tradition of joyful, hope-filled foolishness, following a Teacher who taught that weakness is power and giving is receiving. Silly stuff! As Pastor Laura said on Palm Sunday, “We do silly things together for God.”
Early Easter morning, as the full moon set in the western sky, 37 ridiculously silly people gathered around Terry Deal’s fire in the Memorial Garden. Marci’s beautiful Easter frock gracefully flowed over her snow pants and pac boots. Terry and Kate offered lovely music, shaped by fingers stiff with cold. We sang, read, prayed, sat together in silence, and, ultimately, we paraded. We made a bundled-up, boot-shuffling odd parade through the snow into the building, calling out, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
Join in the ancient procession of bravery and hope. Sing out with the silly, bold, awkward, or whimsical voice God gave you. Live each day foolishly trusting in the love that created us and surrounds us – with foolish faith. Make a joyful noise!