Future Impossible
From Ikon
26 November 2006
We met in the tiny chapel above St. George's Church of Ireland main chamber. A tray of candles shimmered their light around the room. Sitting on the floor, we were led on a journey of thoughts centring on our inevitable failure to see the Divine in others, and latterly, the impossibility of being Christ to others.
The sentiment followed on from last month’s Second Coming in which Ikon considered the transformation that comes in times of waiting. Now, with expectancy, Ikon anticipated the impossible moment of that waiting coming to an end. The impossible moment when the Divine shines through us and through others. Reflections shared in the service were punctuated with four central candles, representing the four weeks of Advent, being lit. Advent was to begin the following week, and everyone was encouraged to prepare for the impossible in the wait for Christmas.
- The results of a revealing Princeton study on brain activity comparing responses to different social groups were shared. Somewhere along the line, certain people had become dehumanised and unpalatable.
- One participant shared a story of the day the world was changed forever, and in case we should doubt him, he mentioned he had the photos to prove it - the birth of his second child.
- Thoughts on waiting for Spring, in the words of Annie Dillard from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, were read.
- I was happy when I heard you were dead - an account of one person’s tragic undervaluing of human life was shared.
- Warning: Book Spoiler! The final pages of XXXX were read out in which the main character, having removed outside influences over his thoughts, considers and decides on suicide.
- While I am no Christ by Michael Knott played on an old cassette tape, the lyrics were stuck to the chapel walls. Next to the Crucifix hung the lyrics “Am I the animal? Am I the enemy?”
Recognising that an encounter with Christ, (“whatever that is, whoever that is”), brings reality-bending transformation, we acknowledged we would always fail in being Christ to others. A time of reflection and confession was taken, prompted by the blank space between “I am no Christ” and “I am Christ” on paper. To finish, some of these were read anonymously.
Your response
I found this the most poignant and provocative Ikon gathering I have been to. It wasn't as slick or choreographed as some of the others but the content was solid. For me, the candles in the middle evoked thoughts of advent, which I always feel is a time for hope, for receiving grace and looking forward to the possibility of change and a new start. The gathering was a time for confessing failure and frailty and longing for God to break in and change us. I could empathize with Jon's I was glad when I heard you were dead, about how we can dehumanise people and consider our own comfort and convenience more important than the life of another. I left the gathering praying for forgiveness and hoping for God to break in again this Advent season. michael 18:57, 27 November 2006 (GMT)
Hey there... I wish I had been there. But, as many of you know, I am attempting to spread the word of ikon, bringing darkness where once there was light. Of course Michael is obviously wrong about it being the most poignant gathering he has been to, as I had very little to do with it. But great to hear that it went so well. Was thinking about it as it took place. Looking forward to getting home and hanging out. Pete
