"Trespass" | Reflection by Katharine Luce

Trespass: an unlawful act committed on the person, property, or rights of another; a wrongful entry on real property; a violation of moral or social ethics, transgression, sin

When I was a child, I would often play in a large field that bordered our house. It was a veritable treasure trove for the imagination—antique farm equipment, an old stone foundation that made a perfect fort, and a rope swing down by the creek.  The wild grasses grew over my head, and I could get lost for hours, exploring a magical world all by myself.  I didn’t know at the time that this field belonged to my next door neighbors, and I was unaware that my romping and rambling was technically trespassing on their private property.

I’ve been thinking a lot about these childhood wanderings with regard to the word trespass.  To trespass involves consciously or unconsciously violating the boundary of another.  That boundary exists to conscribe our own actions for the sake of the collective. Yet rules and regulations and “No Trespassing” signs can only go so far—we all still must pray on a weekly basis for God to “forgive us our trespasses.” 

In Norway, there is a law called Allemannsretten ("everyman's right") that allows one to roam freely on uncultivated land. Anyone may camp, hike, and enjoy the forests, fjords, fjells, and coastline, regardless of whose property they may be on.  Yet even this freedom to explore comes with great personal responsibility: to do no harm, leave no trace, and respect the land and its inhabitants. 

Perhaps Allemannsretten is, in fact, more difficult to uphold than a “No Trespassing” sign, because it is an honor code, emphasizing an inward attitude of respect.  Similarly, Jesus elevates the state of one’s heart by declaring: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In the fullness of time, we will inhabit God’s Kingdom, where we will roam freely without worry or fear, where earthly laws and boundaries will recede into distant memory, and our hearts will sing the praises of the Lord.  I hope and pray that in such a Kingdom, my childhood wanderings will feel right at home.

Words in the Wilderness - Walk through the season of Lent with Trinity, one word at a time. Every day (except on Sundays) we will post a photo and a brief refection written by someone in our Trinity community. https://www.trinitynewhaven.org/words-in-the-wilderness