Sacred Artifacts

I’ve been thinking a lot about the sacraments. As Presbyterians, we only have two sacraments – Baptism and Communion. I like those sacraments a lot, and have a lot to say about them (Which you’ll hear more of this Sunday if I follow through on my plans).

But I’ve also been thinking about what it is that we hold sacred without giving the official designation of “sacrament.” To that end, I’ve been reading a short book (or a long essay, depends on who you ask) by a man named Leonardo Boff entitled Sacraments of Life, Life of the Sacraments. This book is a beautiful meditation on how God’s presence infuses everything, and how that presence brings the holy into our midst. In our worship together over the next few weeks I will be exploring both this book and those things in our lives that we consider holy.

My intention is to start general, and you will hear a lot more about what the sacraments are in the Presbyterian tradition and then I want to really delve into what it is the Leonardo Boff has to say about sacraments in general. But what I’m really excited for, and what I need your help with, are the following weeks, in which I will invite you to share those things that you hold as sacraments.

I am not usually one for sermon series, not that I have anything against them, but it just hasn’t been my practice. The series is entitled Sacred Artifacts, not because I’m looking to start a reliquary, or see if anyone is hiding the Shroud of Turin in their basement, but because I am interested in where we see the holy in our everyday life. Before too long, I am going to ask you to share with me (and the congregation if you so desire) the things that hold sacred meaning in your life. I’ve been thinking about this a great deal over the past few months and have a number of sacred artifacts hiding in my office. Whether that’s the large Funk-o-Pop Batman figurine or the mug that I was given in grad school, I have been thinking about how God has worked in my life through simple things to remind me of what matters. So if what you have is a church-y item, then that’s perfectly fine with me. However, I want to challenge you to think more broadly about where God lives in your home. A Bible can be holy for all sorts of reasons, most of them obvious, but (as Leonardo Boff discusses) it is a lot more illuminating to see God’s holy presence in an old cigarette butt.

It is now the Easter season, Christ is risen and the world is reflecting the good news. In the Easter miracle, we were shown how the holy was reborn in the world. And in this Easter season I want to learn more about how the holy continues to reside in our lives.

Peace,

Rev. Jeff Fox-Kline

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As we move through this Easter season together, I invite you to begin noticing the sacred in your everyday life. What objects, moments, or memories carry a sense of the holy for you? When you’re ready, I would love to hear your stories, and perhaps even see the sacred artifacts that help you recognize God’s presence in your life. If you'd like to visit our church, stop by and say hi, or share in a conversation, all are welcome! Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church is located at 1200 S. Winton Road in Brighton, NY. We can also be reached by calling our office at 585-244-8585 or sending an email through our website.