By Dr. Mike Graves, Scholar in Residence
The renowned Lutheran scholar Gordon Lathrop claims that one of the many amazing things about Christian worship is how we set this next to that, what he calls “juxtaposition.” We set Sunday next to the other six days of the week, for instance. We set the preaching of the word next to the table. We set the rhythms of Advent and Lent next to Santa Claus and March Madness, respectively. This set next to that.
I was struck by his observation once again last Sunday morning during the early worship service. Because it was a day to thank the congregation for all their service, there was a latte machine hissing in the background as Carla welcomed folks to church that morning. But even on other mornings, there are those who ride their bicycles to that early outdoor service, while others sit on blankets with the family dog. This set next to that. It’s like Starbucks, Shakespeare in the Park, and Sunday worship all rolled into one.
And it’s not just the outdoor service during the summer months. Every Sunday morning the preacher of the day dares to set a story from the Scriptures next to the time a dear uncle was hospitalized or tasting some amazing ice cream recently. Preachers set everyday stories next to the ones in the Bible, and no one bats an eye. That’s because properly understood, there is no distinction between sacred and secular. Well, there is nowadays, but that’s a modern construction.
Our ancestors in the faith considered pretty much everything sacred because God’s creation is good, a doctrine backed up with Jesus becoming flesh. They also thought of everything as secular too, if by that term we mean fleshly. Bread and wine, like cookies and cream, is material, not some spiritual nothingness. This doesn’t mean they didn’t recognize some spots at hotter than others, to use a modern Wi-Fi analogy, but everything was and is both ordinary and extraordinary for those with eyes to see.
So if your favorite thing about Sunday worship is the pipe organ, I get that. Or maybe the table set with gorgeous gold ware. If you’re at the outdoor service, crane your neck some time and take in the intricacies of the architecture. It’s breathtaking, to be sure. But it could be the coffee in the parlor is your favorite thing. Or maybe a high five from that youngster holding a cookie in the other hand. As the saying goes, it’s all good. This set next to that.
