As you read these words, it is
likely that the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur will be fast (pun
intended) under way. This year Yom Kippur begins on October 3rd
and ends at nightfall on the following day. It is a solemn
observance known as the “Day of Atonement.” It is a time for
reflecting on one’s mistakes and sins and seeking reconciliation
with other humans and with God. In addition to prayers, many Jews
observe the holiday by volunteering somewhere as part of their
atonement. There is a 25 hour fast and services are typically held
throughout the day. Yom Kippur is a time of introspection and
reflection, as Jews evaluate their behavior in the last year and
their relationships going forward.
In a way, it’s a spiritual reset
button- but a button whose pressing relies upon serious spiritual
work.
Yom Kippur is not a unique religious
holiday. Most religious traditions have some practice of turning
inward, reflecting and being accountable for our actions. Some call
it repentance, other traditions favor reconciliation.
When I was growing up my reference
point was confession. Since my family was not solely Catholic nor
practicing their faith and yet I was, confession was a bit of an
illusion to me. I understood you went into a wooden framed box with
a bench, shared what you had done wrong, said a few Hail Marys and it
was all over. Bada bing, bada boom! You were forgiven!
It wasn’t until years later when
talking with a Catholic sister who became a good friend that I
understood the deeper meaning of confession. “How come you need a
priest to get forgiveness from God?”
She looked bemused.
“I’ve never thought the priest
to be God, only to represent the God within us all. The priest is
there because forgiveness always requires another person. We all
need help hitting the reset button.”
Unitarian Universalists don’t have
a ritual of forgiveness but perhaps we ought to have one- a spiritual
reset button. It is no coincidence that Yom Kippur falls at the same
time that the New Year is beginning in Judaism. And It is no
coincidence that this ritual is deeply communal.
As Unitarian Universalists, we don’t
believe people are inherently sinful or in constant need of
forgiveness, but we do believe that we are all in need of love and
connection- a spiritual reset button.
And so with the focus of forgiveness
this month we ask, where in your life do you need to hit the reset
button? And what’s more, how can we at Piedmont UU Church help
you?
We are here for the journey,
together.
In faith and love,
Rev. Robin
