Dancing, a lost sacrament?

One of the most famous stories of Jesus dancing isn’t in the bible as we know it.  This “alternative” story is titled The Hymn of Jesus.  It is found in the Acts of John, one of the Gnostic Gospels.  Very simply put, the Gnostic Gospels are an alternative and rejected collection of writings that didn't make the bible. 
These writings however, are certainly  meaningful, existing and relevant text.   The Acts of John gives a vivid and imaginative description of the disciples’ early journey as new missionaries sharing God’s Ways and Jesus Message.
In one section, the writings recalls how, on the night before Jesus’ arrest, Jesus gathered the disciples in the upper room and after the Passover meal Jesus asks them to form a circle holding hands, and they danced as Jesus sings a hymn to which they responded in a series of “Amens.”   Just as communion came from that last meal Jesus and his disciples shared together, perhaps dance is a lost sacrament that might have come from their experience after the meal.  A sacrament of physical prayer shared together through dancing.  Can you see it in your imagination?  Can you imagine it as an active part of our faith communities? 
 
Dancing is spoken of in the bible many times.  It was a part of the social and religious culture of the Hebrew people.
Dancing is also a part of my personal faith culture.
Spiritual Movement or liturgical dancing was introduced to me by my youth leader, Janet Palmer Hughes when I was an uninvolved youth in the church. 
Dance invited me in.  
Dance included me.  
Dance celebrates my faith.
Dance communicates my faith.
Dance frees me in my faith.
Dance gave me reason to move and grow and have being through interpreting scripture and song through movement.
 
I have been filled with the Spirit when, dancing with God through the Word in worship and through scripture.
I have been filled with the Spirit when, dancing for love when interpreting scripture in weddings and memorials. 
I have been filled with the Spirit when, dancing in community
at church retreats, teaching and creating church dance choirs and dancing on stage with the RBCC Players.
I have been filled with the Spirit when dancing for justice in PRIDE parade.
I have been filled with the Spirit when dancing for peace to the lyrics of artists at Folklife Festival.
In and with the Spirit I have danced.  And I still do, but mostly in private nowadays.  Maybe someday that will change.
Through scripture and song...
Movement embodies the unspeakable of our souls.
Movement enhances scripture with emotion and dimension.
A sincerity of faith from comes from within.
Just as it has for thousands of years and generations of faithful people.
There is dancing in the Bible.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, dancing.
In the Gospel scriptures, dancing.
In the ancient Jewish communities, dancing.
In early Christian communities, dancing.
In modern faith communities of all kinds, dancing.
 
Dance gives visible body to celebration and to mourning and to worship.  Dance is holy wholeness, with Jesus at the center inviting us to dance, just as described in the Acts of John.
So, when Jesus commands us to love; he is also inviting us to dance with him and invite others to complete the circle.  
So, let’s share in the sacrament of dancing together.