the other day at al basma we paused from our work to dance. all work stopped when the call to dance came from basma. we pushed the tables back, turned up the music, and danced. everyone laughing, everyone clapping, everyone sweating as we poured out all our energy into the spasmodic, unrhythmodic, ecstatic movements that consumed our bodies. the make-shift dance floor was transformed into a holy space that embodied something like a Catholic mass, where we celebrate the suffering love of Jesus, and a Spirit-filled pentecostal tent meeting. as confused as my body was at the beginning of this euphoric liturgy, slowly my flesh and my muscles were sanctified. my blood quickened through my veins, purified by the grace of God freely given through the sacrament of dance. we shared this atoning dance that at once filled our souls with joy and healed our ailing bodies. Heaven collided with earth, the saints descended and the Kingdom was filled with dancing feet. i think Jesus was there too. maybe in nasar or khalil, maybe in jon or michael, maybe in all of us. we celebrate Christ's presence, its mystical form, a species not the norm for the eucharist, but in living, breathing, dancing bodies filled with the spirit of Jesus.
Hamdullah (thanks be to God)
peace and stuff,
paul
Christ surely dwells there among those and celebrates life inside and spirits set free. Glad for this celebration of people. Your joy is evident. Let you love overflow and reach out to all as you live and breath. Love you, Mom
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me a great deal of 2 Samuel chapter 6 where David dances with great joy (or "with all his might.")
So glad that your experiences are filling you with this kind of joy!
Blessings -
Trice