DEEP PURPLE

 

Dear Friends,

Today as we entered the chapel, there was something new! A rich, deep purple color had been painted on the wall behind the altar, in the shape of a tent. Above the roof of the tent there were still wisps of pale lazuring, like smoke or incense, rising to the heavens.

It has been a very long time since our community has been able to experience this deep purple as a backdrop, but the effect was amazing! Every color in front of it stood out, from our beautiful altar painting, to the altar cloth, the candles, and the candle flames.

This color and shape beckons you in. It encourages deeper contemplation, a deeper striving for understanding and devotion.

In 1500 B.C., and for many centuries to come, this color was known as royal purple. Archaeologists have been able to discern how this color was made, in the city of Tyre, where the dyeing was perfected. Thousands upon thousands of the murex shellfish were crushed to extract the color from its mucus – up to 250,000 to make 1 ounce of dye. It was a costly and long process, affordable only for royalty.

Today, we use the roots and berries of different plants to make a natural purple dye, again, a form of sacrifice, on the part of the plant.

How appropriate and wonderful during this time of Passiontide, to be able to experience the act of sacrifice in a different, yet meaningful, way.

Sparky