In 2004, twenty Holy Comforter parishioners followed Fr. Rick Lord to the United Kingdom for a pilgrimage that ultimately took us to the island of Iona on the far western, rugged Inner Hebrides coast of Scotland. We traveled by commercial jets, buses, two ferries and finally by foot to reach the Abbey (c. 563 AD) and the rustic hotel run by the tiny Anglican Iona Community there. Desolate—no. Remote, minimal, sacred—yes. In 2013, Karen and I commissioned the creation of the 3rd (top) panel of stained-glass window in St. Mary’s Chapel using the inspiration we received at Iona. The main themes that collide in our design concept for the window are “Thin Places” and “Liminal Spaces.”
Celtic, Anglican and Episcopal traditions recognize Thin Places as those places and moments in time when the veil or distance separating the faithful here on earth from God is lifted or reduced and we can experience His presence in a uniquely powerful way. We have all had this experience. Some locations and situations seem to harbor this thin-ness. Iona is certainly one of those places. In the Chapel window, the Celtic cross is seen floating low over the landscape and water. The distance to the ground close, thin. The cross is so close we not only feel its presence, we can touch it.
The full window scene captures a moment of tearing open the glass to reveal the world beyond (or perhaps the world within if you are standing outside?) and presents us with a moment of choice. Do we step across that threshold from the Church into the world “outside” (or perhaps it is the other direction as we welcome all to step from outside into the Church)? This place to change, this moment of choice to go from inside to outside, from known to unknown, from old ways to something new, that is a Liminal Space. I am fascinated by Liminal Spaces. They demand our attention and focus. Those pivotal moments and decisions, usually uncomfortable, sometimes terrifying, have literally changed my life. Some by choice. Others totally out of my control. The uneasy discomfort most of us have felt over the past few months and certainly the past few weeks are, I believe, evidence of our mutual existence in a Liminal Space. And those abnormal feelings are quite normal and even exciting if you can embrace the liminality of the moment, this moment.
If you’ve made it this far you are probably asking yourself “So, what about the mantra?” How do I deal with this situation, this Liminal Space we are in and our sense that, as Bob Dylan wrote, “I feel a change comin’ on.” Liminal spaces demand that we focus, that we pay attention, you know: “Now Hear This!” But with just a little editing the mantra appears:
Now. Here. This.
Try to focus on the
Now
. The right now. This day, this moment. Stay at home orders and limited travel opportunities have given us the time to slow down and be introspective, meditative. Try to focus next on the
Here
. Right here. Where you are at this moment. There is comfort, wonder, beauty, joy all around us. Go look for it. Become mentally still for it. Be consciously open to it. And finally, focus on the
This
. Let your contemplation of
This
be shaped by your thoughts and desires of
Now
and
Here
. What is the situation and what can I do to understand, support, change, accept, forgive, renew, etc. that situation? Don’t take on the world. Just that little, tiny piece that is yours.
Now. Here. This.
Give your conscious and subconscious mind, heart, and faith time to work on it. We’ve got the time.
Now. Here. This.
