A Little Closer To Home-
Got up this morning, put on normal people clothes, and got ready to go to church. Steve and Jacey got to my house at about 9:45, and we went to Saint Patrick's. We drove through some of the worst dairy stink imagineable, to a building that seemed to have cars pouring out of it. They lined the streets and even were parked in the cemetary behind it. This is where we parked. Right next to the headstone of a child who had gone on long before this day. Inside, people kneeled and prayed before entering an aisle to sit. I seemed to be the only exemption.
The story this week was about Lazuras, the brother of Mary Magdalene(unsure of the spelling) who had been dead four days when Jesus was told of his death. Martha had come to Jesus, saying that if he had been there, Lazuras would still be among the living. To make a long story short, Jesus went to the tomb, followed by those who grieved for Lazuras. He told them to roll away the stone, he talked to God, and thanked God for hearing him. Then he cried, "Lazuras, come out!!" And out walked Lazuras, bandaged from head to toe with burial cloth,stinking, but alive.
The main differences I noticed between the Catholic church service and that of the Baptist church were this; Call and answer between the priest and congregation, and there was a lot of kneeling. The standing and sitting were no different, we did that a lot in my church.
My experience as related to last week, in a few words, was a relief. Last week was just insanity, there are no other words to describe it.
I saw a lot of beauty in the church. Something that most people that go there weekly don't take in. The angels on the headstones, with the dark etching of time. The stained glass windows. The voices raised in one accord. It was beautiful. Even the day, overcast, seemed to fit. I was a bit caught up, instead of feeling the need to escape.
The story this week was about Lazuras, the brother of Mary Magdalene(unsure of the spelling) who had been dead four days when Jesus was told of his death. Martha had come to Jesus, saying that if he had been there, Lazuras would still be among the living. To make a long story short, Jesus went to the tomb, followed by those who grieved for Lazuras. He told them to roll away the stone, he talked to God, and thanked God for hearing him. Then he cried, "Lazuras, come out!!" And out walked Lazuras, bandaged from head to toe with burial cloth,stinking, but alive.
The main differences I noticed between the Catholic church service and that of the Baptist church were this; Call and answer between the priest and congregation, and there was a lot of kneeling. The standing and sitting were no different, we did that a lot in my church.
My experience as related to last week, in a few words, was a relief. Last week was just insanity, there are no other words to describe it.
I saw a lot of beauty in the church. Something that most people that go there weekly don't take in. The angels on the headstones, with the dark etching of time. The stained glass windows. The voices raised in one accord. It was beautiful. Even the day, overcast, seemed to fit. I was a bit caught up, instead of feeling the need to escape.