MY
The parish I've been working at over the summer has an old church building that's in pretty rough shape. We've finished building a new church building, where all our liturgies are currently celebrated, but now we're tasked with giving the old, worn building a respectful end after decades of use. As part of that project, I've was tasked with making an inventory of the eclectic assortment of items leftover in every nook and cranny of the decommissioned church.
It's a strange but beautiful job. One part of me enjoys sifting through old booklets, papers, and altar linens, seaching rooms of a century-old building for items that can be put to use in the new church or donated to places that repurpose liturgical goods. Another part of me has to deal with the reality of the place I'm working. I'm in a former church. Nearly a century's worth of masses were celebrated in the sanctuary I'm evaluating. Many priests prayed thousands of prayers, preparing for the Holy Sacrifice in the room I'm rummaging through. As someone who cherishes the sacraments and God's presentation of himself in and through them, it's difficult to witness the natural end of a holy place where God has worked for so long. It's sobering. But this Sunday's readings are consoling. In Deuteronomy 30:10-14, God speaks through Moses, urging them to keep his commandments and statues, and :to return to the Lord, your God with all your heart and all your soul." And he continues, "for this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you... No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out." Church buildings are amazing. When they're reverently and expertly designed, they remind us of God's goodness and beauty and redirect us to the Sacred Mystery taking place in front of us during the Mass. The building is nothing without Christ present in it. Even more than that, Jesus' presence in a church building is not meant to be static, but His greatest desire is to enter into the temples of our hearts. While I encourage you to take care of your church buildings and to become invested in the well-being your parish community, above all I urge you to welcome Jesus into your hearts through the Holy Eucharist. Matthew 23:19-22
1 Comment
Dad
7/8/2022 11:23:40 am
Amen! Good reflections and well said - praise Jesus!
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July 2023
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