Lesson #2 from the Catholic Church: Sometimes it’s good to be single-minded
My Catholic roots have been digging deep as of late after spending all of my adult life in non-denominational church contexts. Root realization #2: It's all really all about God, isn't it?
I kept thinking: Isn’t he lonely?
It had been two weeks since my visit to a Catholic Church in Indiana with my dad over Christmas break. Back home in Illinois, 25 or so of us were in the Wednesday morning Catholic Mass and the only one up front was the priest.
One priest.
For years, I had been accustomed to more of a “group effort” — a worship team, pastors, a video or two shown. I was struck by the fact that there was only one person in “the sanctuary” (this is apparently what the area is called in the Catholic Church where the altar is located, though I don’t remember that term from my youth).
Isn’t he lonely?
The vision was so simple as to be striking. There was no pomp and circumstance. This was simply one man helping people find their way to God. I was taken by the fact that no one was there for song or coffee or any of the other pieces that have come to be synonymous with church services in a Protestant context. They weren’t even there for the priest.
These 25 people had braved the cold to worship God in a place of holiness and beauty. Indeed, it is hard to not be struck by the beauty of many Catholic churches, whether that is expressed through the art, the artifacts, or the architecture.
The priest, I realized, was simply a vessel, serving not for himself, but for others. He was a conduit, used by God to offer hurting people hope.
The priest, I realized, was simply a vessel, serving not for himself, but for others. He was a conduit, used by God to offer hurting people hope.
Too many Evangelicals and Protestants (and others!) have gotten it wrong. And this in one of the main reasons so many are leaving the church. The world doesn’t need more influencers or pastors who write books or church leaders who speak. The world needs more vessels willing to remain nameless so that others can bask in the name of Jesus.
Yes, the Christian faith ought to be done in community. Yes, the Christian faith benefits from worship songs, small groups, fish fries, and coffee bars. But stripped of all these things is the core of what we all want to know: that we can meet with and experience God ourselves. Without this — the presence of God with and among us — we are simply another social group.
Each morning as I enter our Catholic church with those 25 other people, I feel God’s presence. All of us are anticipating that when we go, we will find God when we search for Him with our whole hearts.
…stripped of all these things is the core of what we all want to know: that we can meet with and experience God ourselves.
Of course the priest wasn’t lonely. How silly a thought, I now realize! Because none of us are ever alone, for we find our home in God.
Even now, as I think about the priest, how grateful I am that each morning he is willing to be a vessel for people who desperately need the love and healing of God.
But would my experience with God hold up if even the priest is taken out of the picture? Next time, I will tell you about the Adoration Chapel — and oh, what a place it is!
Wandering friend, I’m sorry if so much of what you have experienced about churches has distracted you from the heart of faith — the simple fact that God is always available to us. You are of so much value that He will meet you anytime, anywhere.
Stay tuned for Lesson #3 from the Catholic Church: We all need a holy place.
I’m wondering if you are feeling like you can meet God today? Post in the comments.
Much love to you,
💚 Laurie