| Part three of a liturgical resistance against the power of Egypt becomes our opening devotion for this week - from "Texts That Linger, Words That Explode" - Walter Brueggemann. Third, the payoff of such daring imagination is the dance and song of the women, enacted as a gesture of defiance: "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." (Ex.15:21) It is clear that this liturgical act - liturgical dance!? - is an act of unadministered, unauthorized freedom, the very freedom of bodies Pharaoh could not permit. There is just something about calling an act - "unadministered, unauthorized freedom. Quite powerful and yet quite frightening for how do we know what will happen next. Who will be upset? What will be the fallout? But they don't care - they dance and sing. Quite some time ago on Easter Sunday, I surprised the congregation by slipping on a pair of tap shoes and - much to everyone's surprise - it was a sermon by way of tap dancing. It is the absolute best day in the church to dance as though our feet cannot stop and the celebration will go on even when it is not appreciated by everyone. I don't think I was ever as nervous as I was that day. No one authorized it. The worship committee was as surprised (stunned) as the rest. There is something about letting go and going forward within a spirit of unbounded freedom. If it was just a act on a stage it would be just an act. But that day, the dancing was part of the whole renewal of our baptismal covenant - the resurrection of Jesus - our participation in the tomb rocking adventure of the church. Since that day, it has been much easier for me to think about dancing in places that are not meant for dancing and singing when voices to remain quiet. Connection: I really think every day is open to acts of unadministered, unauthorized freedom. In fact, that is called life - abundant. Pull us into the freedom of your liberating presence, O God, and teach us to dance within the Spirit of the Lord of the Church. We have so much to fear and yet you remind us to sing and dance and give praise to you alone - and live courageously. Amen. |
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