Yes, another peculiar way of keeping Lent, this time from the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Smudging – the burning of various herbs and immersing oneself in the resulting smoke (doesn’t sound very green does it?) – is supposed to drive out evil spirits, negative energy and balance energies. As such, the kindest thing one can say about it is that it is harmless nonsense, the unkindest, but perhaps more accurate, is that it is linked to the occult.
Still, at least it proves that the Anglican New-Age Church of Canada still believes in something other than inclusion and diversity.
From here (page 5):
In recent years I have come to deeply appreciate the rites of smudging conducted by indigenous peoples.
[…..]
This entire act is a rite of purification of body, mind and spirit in the service of the Creator.
As I think about this rite, I ask: isn’t that what Lent is all about—a clearing of our eyes, an opening of our ears, a renewing of our minds, a cleansing of our souls and a reorienting of our lives as stewards of God’s creation, followers of Jesus and ambassadors of the compassion and peace he wills for all people?
While I appreciate the significance of imposing ashes at the outset of Lent, I have come to wonder if smudging might not be an equally powerful reminder of the true character of these 40 days. I wonder what the impact might be if there was a ceremony of smudging on each Sunday in Lent….
Lots more lung-cancer among good church-people, that’s what.
Isn’t it a little early in the year for mosquitoes? Even in Ontario?
Why not another dunking with Son-Light soap??
One should be very wary of adopting pagan rituals.
Yes, it might be early in the year for mosquitoes but apostates like Fred Hiltz and other so-called bishops that no longer stand for the Gospel continue in their actions to destroy the true church. Having a purple shirt and a white collar does not make one an Anglican or a Christian.
How discriminatory. Anglican churches should include snake charming, fire worship, and hymns to Krishna in their line-up. The singling out of one particular ceremony for especial recommendation is shockingly elitist. Anglicanism must stamp out such prejudice in a glorious panoply of pan-Buddhist-Muslim-Jewish-Hindu-Animist worship.
You can even include a verse from the Bible somewhere too, although it isn’t mandatory, and a quote from a Baghavad Gita would be more appropriate.