Recently Ian Paul, blogger at Psephizo, visited our fair shores. I knew this from a Tweeted photo sent by Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley who met with Ian and his wife in Hamilton a week or two back.
In his latest post Ian reflects on the question of whether God meets us in special places, beginning with a reflection on encountering special/sacred sites for Maori.
Please comment on his reflections at his post (here).
But more general comments regarding sacred spaces are welcome here.
Peter, my understanding of where one can meet God - in a special way, apart from in every single human being - is at the celebration of the Sacramental life of the Church. For instance; I definitely felt God's special presence at our diocesan ordination service on the Feast of the Annunciation to Mary, on Saturday afternoon at the Transitional Cathedral. The Mass, the Ordination, and Anointing of the Candidates - together with the powerful preaching.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that Ian Paul should meet up with Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley in Aotearoa. Just goes to show how starkly contrasting theologies can learn to live together in peace. Perhaps they trained together?
Considering the fate of Shiloh and Bethel - let alone the Jerusalem Temple - should give us pause when considering the notion of sacred space. I'd be interested to know whether in inter-tribal warfare there was any theme of desecrating the sacred sites of other tribes. Certainly the destruction of the personal mana of rivals was a desirable goal.
ReplyDeleteregards
Rhys
"Considering the fate of Shiloh and Bethel - let alone the Jerusalem Temple - should give us pause when considering the notion of sacred space. I'd be interested to know whether in inter-tribal warfare there was any theme of desecrating the sacred sites of other tribes."
ReplyDeleteOf course there is!
When you conquer a people you destroy their culture and heritage and replace their Gods with yours
That is the true meaning of the destroyed churches of Kosovo, that too is the true meaning of Gay Pride Parades in Podgorica, Tbilisi, Chișinău and Skopje (where the Government resists)
Destroying religious sites is against international law but it happens by "accident" anyway
Dear Andrei,
ReplyDeleteI meant my enquiry to be about specifically Maori tribal history. And I referred to desecration rather than destruction, as the sacred sites were generally geographical features.
Regards
Rhys