Go! Build a Beautiful City!

My reflections on Godspell and keeping the Great Vigil of Easter

Tonight we gather.
We gather in the darkness and light the new fire. This is not a consuming fire, but a life giving spark, kindled in our hearths through the waters of our baptism.

Out of the ruins and rubble,
Out of the smoke,
Out of our night of struggle
Can we see a ray of hope?
One pale thin ray reaching for the day . . . 

Tonight we welcome.
We welcome those new to our community, and we welcome each other in reconciliation. A reconciliation among brothers, and sisters, and to our Father through our brother, Christ.

We may not reach the ending,
but we can start.
Slowly but surely mending,
brick by brick,
heart by heart.
Now, maybe now,
We start learning how.

Then we move to the table.
We move to the table, with all our bruising, and shame, and guilt. We let it go upon the altar, and share in the meal that binds us all as one.

When your trust is all but shattered.
When your faith is all but killed.
You can give up bitter and battered,
Or you can slowly start to build!

We are raised!
Finally raised from ashes, resurrected, and restored, we leave the tomb and enter the world. Now the work begins. Proclaim the Gospel! Share the Love, and build the city!

A Beautiful City.
Yes, we can. (Yes, we can)
We can build a beautiful city,
Not a city of angels,
But finally a city of man! *

* Lyrics - "A Beautiful City" from Godpell by Stephen Schwartz