Yesterday was All Saints Day–the day that we remember those who have had an influence on our Christian walk. The sermon was very good: acknowledging that though we may have different theologies and ways of approaching worship, we all have Christ as the head of our collective bodies.
As I listened to the sermon, I pictured a stage full of dancers…
I admit, I love watching Riverdance, the Irish dance troupe. Perhaps it’s the rhythmic tapping, perhaps it’s the precision that speaks to my..um..obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Whatever the reason, I do enjoy watching the energetic dancers perform.
On a recent PBS airing, I was struck by the contrast of the red-haired Irish with the tapping of the African Americans. The Blacks were moving freely; arms swinging, heads swiveling and hips swaying. The Irish came onstage–precise, rapid foot movements were in stark contrast to the absolute immobility of their upper bodies. Their heads were erect, arms were straight at their sides and did not move.
In this particular dance segment, however, the two groups learned from each other. The Blacks demonstrated their ability to perform the Irish dance, and the Irish did back flips and somersaults, having “learned” the moves from the Black street dancers.
As I watched, I remembered the Gospel reading from John 10: 14-17: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me– just as the Father knows me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
Too often I am sure that “my” denomination is the right one, but God is not limited by my beliefs, or by my preferences. Like the Riverdancers, we too, can learn from our “other denomed” brethren, who too, are of one flock—-His.
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