Holy Smoke
I am sure I am not the only one who saw the devastating fire that swept through Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Monday as a very tangible metaphor for what is currently taking place within the Catholic Church at large. Holy Week began with a scene so shocking it will forever be seared into our mind’s eye.
But even though the inferno raged, as if being stoked by the very fires of hell itself, what withstood the onslaught of heat and fury was equally stunning.
After the firemen were able to precariously pick their way through the debris, the majestic and luminous gilded altar Cross and exquisite Pieta statue could be seen as beacons of hope peering through the smoke and rubble.
This too was an equally powerful metaphor. I felt as if God was sending the world a message saying: “No matter how bad things get, no matter how high the heat may be turned up, I am still in control and the work I have done to redeem mankind will forever remain unchanged. My Church will stand forever because it was not built by human hands, I founded it and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
As you prayerfully live out this Holy Week, ask the Lord what in your own life needs to be burned away in order for Him to come and make something powerful and new. The beautiful thing about God…
He’s still in the resurrection business.
God bless you as you walk with Him, suffer with Him, die with Him, are buried with Him and gloriously rise with him this week! Thanks be to God! Come what may...He is still on His throne!
“In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple. Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they hovered. One cried out to the other: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! All the earth is filled with his glory!” At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke.” Isaiah 6:1-4
Dear Lord,
Thank You for all you have done for me, all that we remember and live out this week. Thank You that You are still in charge and seated on Your throne, even when times seem the darkest. May we always remember that there would be no Easter morning without Good Friday. Praises be to You Lord Jesus Christ. Please always give us the grace to look to You and to rise again.
We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
