Old churches fascinate me.
More than that, they comfort me.
There are times in life when I know not the words to pray.
Nothing seems adequate.
Even the 3 basic prayers, Help, Thanks, Wow, can at times not be enough.
I know they are. I know I am. I know prayer is as much listening to and for God as it is 'speaking' to and with God.
All that added unnecessary pressure can make prayer more problematic than in needs to.
That's where the old churches come in.
Le Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris, for example.
This is where I spent my morning. Everything about this cathedral I loved. From the stained glass windows to the beautiful art depicting the story of faith throughout. More than anything, I enjoy places like Notre Dame because it reminds me that faith is an action.
Faith is not only something we have but it is something we do.
Most days we are better at faith-ing than other days.
Often, we have enough to move mountains, or enough to simply get out of bed.
That is the beautiful thing about being God's people. Collectively, we as a community have enough of everything to get us through each day. Or to paraphrase Paul, "When I am weak you are strong. And when you are weak, I am strong."
Standing at the entry way of this century old cathedral reminded me that my faith isn't actually mine at all. Rather, I stand on the shoulders of those who faith-ed before me. We as God's people are a part of the communion of saints, the great cloud of witnesses; we are a people who says, "While things may look bleak now, we have faith that God has, is, and will do something beautiful and good."
When I sit and reflect before the crucifix or the 3 beautiful stained glass windows at church, I remind myself that prayer, that worship, is not my way to influence God or get on God's good side. God's love isn't transactional.
Prayer is making space for God to make God's way into those places where we say "no" or "can't."
Old churches are my favorite.
They help me in my faith. If not by providing a place for me to encounter the living Triune God. Then definitely by showing me that at some point in time, a LONG time ago, people had faith that God would show up and meet them there.
I have 13 more days here in Paris. Know that I miss and love you all. Today, in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, I prayed for my favorite people of my favorite community.
That's you!
Happy weekend to you.
Bonne suoirée
Adam
