I have spent several hours reflecting on the tragic fire in Paris. There is a great amount of pain involved with the tremendous loss of a historic cathedral. Together we grieve.
In a matter of days, fires have destroyed:
3 African American Churches in rural Louisiana
1 Cathedral in Paris
1 Mosque in Jerusalem
They are buildings made with human hands — but they have become sacred spaces. They represent something far greater than brick, stone or wood. These spaces are places where people have worshiped for centuries, or during the most critical times in their personal history. They have shared prayers with their Creator. They have celebrated the greatest joys in their lives and praised their Gracious God among friends and family. While one may be more ornate than another, or one house of worship may have more history, or artwork- it doesn’t lessen how affected all are by even the loss of one sacred space. I have never been to Paris, Jerusalem, or Louisiana- but these losses deeply sadden me.
When a church, cathedral, chapel, mosque or temple burns or parishioners close the doors for the final time- it is an emotional loss. The community suffers as well. Cities and towns were built around the location of the house of worship. Blood, sweat, tears and divine imagination builds our sacred spaces. I can’t make sense of a senseless situation, and I wouldn’t propose some purpose behind the cause of the destruction of any sacred space—but I do hope that our communities can develop a deep and abiding appreciation for the sacred spaces in our towns and cities.
It is not the historical, architectural, or religious significance that makes a building a sacred space and at no point should the building become our object of worship. We are the church not because of how beautiful our building is- we are the church because we continue to gather, witness and minister with the Spirit of God and Jesus Christ within our community.
This week we will gather in our sacred space…
