The way the song touches so many of us may be summed up by
what Cash said about the song in an introductory monologue during a taping of The
Johnny Cash Show: “… many … are searching for self-fulfillment, or understanding
of their life … trying to find a meaning for their life … and many …. including
myself … have found themselves no closer to peace of mind than a dingy
backroom, on some lonely Sunday morning, with it comin’ down all around you.”
Sunday mornings can do that.
Sunday mornings can also be mystical and magical and stop us
to listen in other ways.
Sunday mornings reach out to us. One way or another.
My Sunday mornings are generally spent expecting worship, but
not expecting worship in one way or in one place. I’ve found (or rather have
been Given) worship in a wondrous array of powerful experiences. The same can
be for you.
Many of us may think of grandeur on Sunday mornings.
Something bigger than ourselves. I’ve found that grandeur in worship in the
cathedrals of The American Church in Paris and in Central Presbyterian Church
on Park Avenue and The Riverside Church in New York City, where I’ve all but ascended
as my husband Frank felt grounded in spirit.
But, I’ve also felt the grandeur of Easter Sunday on Easter
Monday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I’d gone to church on Easter ready to
worship and be filled. But the parking lot was full. I ended up a bit angry,
and left. Ridiculous, I know. But honest. I headed for the nearest mountain
top, looking for … something … longing for a new vista. Once again, I found a full parking area. This time at the trail head, teaming with happy people and children and dogs. Again,
I left.
Easter Monday morning was another story. My loaner Jeep Cherokee was the sole vehicle in the trail head parking lot. Bliss. I made a solitary hike to the top of Mt. Cutler. Worship and praise happened, and I was filled.
I’ve worshiped and been filled by an Easter Sunday sermon silently preached by a solitary Bloodroot beside me as I sat by a pond on a stone step of my family’s log cabin in upper East Tennessee. Another memorable worship happened with spilled communion wine and a view out my window of a woman walking, hands raised overhead in victorious praise during the zoom church trend of COVID-19.
Worship has happened for me over the simplest of meals given in pure generosity of spirit by the Taize community in rural France. Worship has happened in the Rotary House hotel adjacent to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas, as I, alone – but not alone - in the room, experienced the hope and promises of the Living God with Third Day’s King of Glory.
All this is to say that the longing of a Sunday morning may
come from a need to connect to the Someone greater Who pursues us with His
Love. It's also to say that the longing of a Sunday morning may also be the need to connect with the people of the Church, where ever it may be.
Perhaps a place to start listening - or to continue listening - and connect is with Tiara
Talk’s Chapter 1 about our relationship with the very King of Glory.
To
Dance and Praise with Song and Timbrel: An Easter Monday Chronicle
Mt.
Cutler Hike in Colorado Springs - Day Hikes Near Denver
Johnny
Cash - Sunday Morning Coming Down (The Best Of The Johnny Cash TV Show) - Bing
video
