Sanctus Bell
My Dear People,
A sanctus bell is a bell that rings at certain times during the Eucharistic prayer, as one more way of drawing our attention to and celebrating what's happening sacramentally, as bread and wine become signs of what God is doing in our midst and in our lives.
Naturally, parishes that use sanctus bells develop a certain custom around when the bell rings (for example, at the words of institution, "Take, eat. This is my body..."). However, a priest friend of mine was telling me how, at his church, out of the group of people who rotate Sundays ringing the sanctus bell, there is one person who will ring it at unexpected times during the celebration; indeed, on those Sundays, one never quite knows when the bell might ring.
Somehow I love that image: of bells ringing, surprising us, playfully, here and there, calling for our attention, calling out to us, unexpectedly, throughout worship.
And, perhaps, throughout our week.
And, indeed, throughout our lives.
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Do you hear the bells? Do you hear them ringing even now?
What is it God wants us to notice?
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Your brother in Christ,
Wallace+
