Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Tuesday Afternoon Ponderings: Living Stones

On Sunday I received the gift of being overwhelmed by the beauty of an old familiar place.  I wanted to say to Our Lord as Peter did on the Mount as Jesus was transfigured before his eyes, "Lord it is good to be here."  Such helpless words for such deep feelings of awe.  I felt that way in a smaller degree on Sunday as I wandered the aisles of our city's basilica.  The ancient smell of incense lingered everywhere and echoes of Jesus's words, "I will not leave you orphaned" seemed to float upon the thick silence. God is indeed among his people.  He has "pitched his tent" among us.   


 Here He dwells in the tabernacle - small, unassuming, waiting in the silence for us to come and find him.  As one of my sons used to say when he was little:  "Jesus lives behind that little golden door?  He must be very small".  I thought those very deep words for a child.  Small indeed!  The humble sweetness of our God.  He asks us to do the same - to be very small.  Would WE fit behind such a little, golden door of humility?  That is something to ask oneself...hmm.

 "Draw near to HIM a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and honored by GOD.  Be you yourselves as living stones, built thereon into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 1:4-6


 Unless we each take our place in the living Church of Jesus, unless we stay where HE asks us to be in the Church, unless we are content to be the exact stone that we are, the building will fall.  What incredible responsibility he has given us.  What great love and confidence he has in us that we sometimes don't have in ourselves or others.  We are all important to HIM and to HIS Church.  Just some food for thought on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  









7 comments:

  1. such wonderful sentiments. He is indeed with us.

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  2. "He pitches his tent among us." I love that concept. Reminds me of John 1:14 "Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis." Always overwhelms me to think about that. The church is incredibly beautiful I can almost smell the incense :)

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful basilica. Lovely reflections.

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  4. beautiful, beautiful thoughts + pictures. have a beautiful weekend.

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  5. You captured stunning photos of a beautiful basilica!

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