As the days of a tree are the days of my people
This is a sermon I gave in the Lutheran church in
Malmö, Sweden, on the occasion of a danced mass as part of my
workshop there. It is based upon the vision of “a new heaven
and a new earth” in Isaiah 66:17-25.
Let us imagine the Kingdom of Heaven, promised to us on this day.
Imagine knowing that the home you build shall never be invaded by
another, the fruits of your labours shall never be taken by force. The
body is the home we build in this life, a temple for the soul burning
brightly within like a lamp on an altar. Imagine your body as a
sanctuary, safe forever from assault and invasion. In the city of your
body, “the voice of weeping shall no more be heard.”
“As the days of a tree are the days of my people.”
Imagine a tree’s days as your days, your body as the Tree of
Life, rooted deeply in the earth and passionately open to the embrace
of the heavens. Imagine knowing that you can never be uprooted; no one
can ever cut you down.
Imagine that the voice of longing that cries out in your heart is
answered right away! God, the perfect mother, hearing your calls and
answering you, her children. “They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain.” This is the kingdom of heaven, and
the kingdom of heaven is within.
Can we imagine living free from fear? Free from danger that we might be
forced to flee for our lives and seek refuge in faraway lands? No rape,
no violence, no war: instead, “a rejoicing, and my people a
joy.” All voices heard, all prayers answered, the sanctity of
every home and body respected absolutely.
If we can imagine this heaven on earth, then it already exists, in our
hearts and in our hands. So how can we bring it forth and make it come
to pass?
We can begin by listening, and trying, ourselves, to answer as soon as
we hear a call. We can offer the help and understanding we ourselves
would like to receive, to all our brothers and sisters in the human
family. We can respect the sanctity of one another’s peace
and safety, and make sure we do nothing to destroy it. We can offer our
compassion to all refugees and survivors, to the wounded and to those
inflicting the wounds. We are all children of God: our needs will be
met. We don’t need to attack others out of fear that someone
might attack us. If we wish to live in peace, let us live in peace. As
Gandhi said, “let us be the change we wish to see in the
world.”
And when those leaders who represent us use our power for violent ends
against our will, we must speak out for peace and justice. As we pray
with passion for a world without war, without rape, without violence,
let our voices be heard throughout the kingdom. This is the call that
“will be answered, even as we are yet speaking.”
“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God,
and the word was God.” Our words of kindness and acts of
compassion, towards ourselves and one another – they are the
words of creation; they are the keys to the kingdom.
Laura Shannon
December 2003
Laura and Pia Lamberth
dancing chochek with live music as part of the church service.
Kirsebergskyrkan Church, Malmö, Sweden, November 2003.