A Litany to Light and Life

This note is intended for the exclusive delectation of those of us here at Cornell (or once here), who know of Sage Chapel and its non-sectarian Sunday morning services. Of course, it may bring a smile to the faces of others as well. The name "non-sectarian" is deceiving: trust me, this group is one very special bunch of loonies with their own ideology. I can't imagine that Sage Chapel has a regular Sunday morning "congregation"; rather, I suppose that the size of the gathered "faithful" varies with the hipness of the person leading the "meditation", i.e. sermon. On that note, I should also point out that this Sunday - in case any of you were interested - is the "special annual jazz service"; the "Postlude", so-called, is "Take the A Train" by Duke Ellington. I think that they would be better off with some of Mozart's compositions for the Masons, which I am enjoying listening to as I type this post. It's kinda jazzy in its way.

But this is what I wanted to share - I stole into the Masons' offices to get you a sneak peak of this Sunday's "liturgy". It begins with a "Call to Worship: A Litany to Light and Life" (because this Sunday's theme is "Light and Life in Winter"). I don't believe that you'll find this litany among the approved, though my researches haven't been exhaustive.

LEADER: In the beginning God said,
ALL: "Let there be light."

LEADER: At the end, the enlightened one, Buddha said,
ALL: "Make of yourself a Light."

LEADER: Jesus of Nazerth [sic], The Christ once said,
ALL: "You are the Light of the World."

LEADER: And we, here and now, do Pray,
ALL: May we be light to life in Winter.

LEADER: Let us worship the Creator of all.

Good stuff, huh? Maybe I should have put sic's by all the words - it's all kinda rich. The music after the Anthem and before the Readings is "Embraceable You" by George and Ira Gershwin. Cool.


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