Pondering stories in
the Church calendar year
Pilgrim Year
Author: Steve Bell
Publisher: Novalis
(www.novalis.ca)
Canadian Steve Bell
brings the same sensibilities found in his music to his writing:
truth, wisdom, beauty, maturity, creativity, empathy, compassion and challenge. He writes like a skillful poet (Psalm 45:1).
Speaking of poetry, readers will find more than a little here. In
addition to Bell’s song lyrics, his friend Malcolm Guite’s poems
and thoughts frequently add to the reflections.
For those who
struggle with deciphering modern poetry, don’t hesitate to give
this a try. Though there is always a degree of mystery, I find Guite
and Bell’s prose on the Christian life more accessible than some of
what I have read in Image for example, which covers broader
subject matter.
In a recent Twitter
post, Ginny Owens, another singer/songwriter wrote, “Each of us has
the powerful gift of story. Whether we choose to tell our stories
through music or conversation, we must tell them, knowing that, in
doing so, the ‘teller’ and the ‘hearer’ will both be
changed.” This applies to the stories that have been entrusted to
the Church. Bell writes,
The Church tells and retells her sacred stories year after year, much
as a mother to her children who ask for the same stories night after
night. And like any good child’s tale, they continue to reward well
into adulthood. Each time we rehearse and reharrow these stories, we
unearth something new precisely because there is so much more to
receive, but also because our capacity to receive has deepened (from
the Introduction).
It’s not just that
the Church needs to tell its stories, it needs to be continually
reminded of them. Following the church calendar helps the Church to
repeat the gospel and the related stories to itself. Individual
members never get beyond the need for the application of the good
news in their own lives.
Bell comes from a
Baptist background, which would seem to make him an unlikely guide
but this in particular enables him to gently lead others into the
riches that he has found. For those like myself and Bell who have not
been part of traditions that follow the calendar year, this is an
excellent introduction.
Bell does not
consider himself an expert but a continual learner. Even so, the same
depth found in his music, is evident here. There is something for
everyone no matter what stage of development they find themselves.
The content consists
of seven small easy-to-read books, each one covering a different
season beginning with Advent and ending with Ordinary Time. This is
not a daily devotional with a reading for each day of the year. There
are readings for some days when it coincides with a particular day
remembering an important event or person. There is a reading, for
example, on February 14th to celebrate The Feast of
Saint Valentine.
When researching for
the Advent season Bell made a remarkable discovery:
I was surprised at the themes present in the ancient writings.
Traditionally, Advent was not the giddy season of festive parties and
garish décor we have come to know. The more rooted Advent tradition
was a preparation for the return of Christ, not a mere preparation
for Christmas celebrations. Indeed, there was an element of festive
joy, but it was also a sober season (almost Lent-ish) that began with
sustained attention to our deepest longings and the assumptions,
valid or vain, which those longings might indicate. It was a time of
penitent reflection about the many inordinate attachments and
affections we have given ourselves to – those ill-discerned
commitments that prevent us from fully attaching to Christ (16-17).
The attention paid
through remembering is helpful in recognizing inordinate attachments
and affections so that pilgrims like Bell and his readers can trod
better paths, becoming more attune to the working of the Spirit. The
focus on different aspects of the Christian life is one of the
rewards.
I like that the
Christmas book celebrates
12 days instead of one. Again,
this doesn’t mean there
are readings for 12 dates on the calendar.
There may be a few more but
some have no particular day. The prolonged celebration is
an
illustration of how following the calendar can make
the season more enriching. The
readings here and elsewhere are a delight not a burden.
A
highlight
is the author’s expertise in providing poetry and songs, as well as
quotations, to fit the content. The readings end with a poem, often
by Guite, and/or song lyrics from Bell with a link for listening to
the song. A two-disc
companion CD can be purchased along with the boxed set. The seven
volumes are also available individually.
As
a long time listener of Bell’s music, reading his reflections and
how they relate to specific compositions gave me greater insight into
what he sings about. If you like Bell’s music, this is worth
getting. Those not familiar with his music should find that it
complements his prose. These products reward repeated reading and
listening.
As
I write this is the season of Ordinary Time, the longest part of the
calendar. This is where I started, and one of my joys was finding
chapters on Clare of Assisi and Saint Francis, who are remembered on
August 11th and October 4th respectively. Now
is a good time to purchase this series before the onset of Advent,
which begins the new calendar year. Readers who start in Ordinary
Time as I did will most likely enjoy it as a welcoming
introduction to the series.
