cairn [kairn] n. a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
If you’ve hiked up a trail on a mountain, or in a park or preserve, you’ve probably seen them: stones or rocks stacked on top of one another in a small pile, to keep you on the right path and help you find your way. Cairns are especially important when the trail is difficult to discern as distinct from its surroundings, like when it is on a mesa or takes you across giant slabs of rock; when the trail is no longer in clear sight, and you find yourself a bit lost or wandering. This past weekend, I was gifted with three messages that feel like “cairns,” helpful at least to this pilgrim as I travel life’s way.
The first two came by way of Bishop Carrie Schofield-Broadbent last Saturday, as clergy and lay leaders of our Episcopal Diocese of Maryland were gathered for our annual convention. Many of us are familiar with Jesus’ teaching, “You are the light of the world,” and his related admonition, to any who would follow him, not to hide our lamps under a basket or our bed. Traditionally, this teaching has been interpreted to mean, “If you’ve got a light or lamp, then use it! It’s silly to hide it and not use it!” But Bishop Carrie took us one step further: “If you really think about it, to place a lantern under a basket or bed is not only silly and wasteful: it’s actually dangerous. In fact, doing so could set your whole house on fire.” Whatever light you have, whether it’s an itty bitty flame, maybe even barely flickering, or a great huge lantern or candle: use it, shine it, don’t hide it! Not to do so actually endangers the whole house. (Have you heard of “positivity resonance”? Click here to learn more.
Her second “cairn” began with a tongue-in-cheek statement followed by an attention-grabbing question: “We Episcopalians are not known for our evangelism. Did you know that the average Episcopalian typically invites someone to church once every ten years? It turns out we actually evangelize about lots of other things in our lives! ‘I found a great hairdresser!’ or ‘I just finished reading a great book …’ or ‘Have you heard about this great new restaurant?’ But when it comes to church? Zilch. Isn’t ‘evangelism’ simply one hungry person telling another hungry person where s/he can find bread?” Does our weekly Bible Study nourish you? How about singing in choir? Breathing, praying and stretching together on Wednesday mornings in the chapel or at monthly yoga church? Serving as an LEM, usher or reader? Reading to students at Johnston Square Elementary School? Going on neighborhood walks as a part of our work with BUILD? Why not share where you have found bread with someone who is hungry for it? And if you yourself are famished, why not come and be fed?
A third “cairn” was gifted to me on a morning walk around my neighborhood several days ago, as autumn sunlight mingled with golden-yellow and orange-reddish-brown leaves. I found myself in deep communion with my mother, conversing with her in an easy way, as she responded with a leaf falling here, and then, there; and with the faintest of breezes causing branches above my head to shiver and shimmer with light …
Stay the Course
She said to me
(in a constant steady whisper like the distant murmur of a life-giving stream)
Stay the Course
but how?
i asked
i do not know the way
then another voice
ancient and true
answered from deep
within
I am
the Way
the Truth
the Life
Stay the Course
May these cairns help you stay on track and find your way, as we make our way, together. Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome.
Love,
Cristina