This morning was Bruno's, at a very 1970's-ish Catholic church in Riverside RI. I was struck by the front of the church, behind the sanctuary. There was a huge series of square, grey granite columns reaching up towards a crinolated white ceiling. But here was the weird part: between the columns was an unabashedly modern stained glass of Christ on the cross. The image was broken by these many stone columns. I sat in the quiet and tried to figure out what in the world the architect was trying to convey by this. Was this supposed to show the intersection of the earth with God? Is that what this space was supposed to be?
I am not sure.
The service was ok.
I have come to realize that I can now respond appropriately when the priest says something because there is really not much difference between an Episcopal mass and a Catholic one. My friend Michelle, who sat next to me, might have been surprised when I knew all the words by heart to the various songs and prayers.
One thing is different though. During communion, instead of going to the rail, I knelt in the pew and prayed for unity in the Church.
We went with the family to the cemetery, and to a lunch after. It was a cold, rainy day.
Beloved God,
Comfort Bruno's wife, Isabel, in her loss. Be with the family as they struggle to understand his suffering.
5 comments:
and prayers for you too. that's a lotta loss recently...
Did that bother you, the part about not being welcome at the table? Because I have to say that I've been thinking about it every since I first read this yesterday and it really bothers me. I blogged briefly about the same topic here. Of course I have my own hurts now about not being welcome at that table myself ...
Yes. Especially during Holy Week, having to sit in the pew was, well, a little shattering.
I feel great pain at the divides in the body of Christ. It causes me great pain that I am not 'in communion' at the table. I could remedy it by joining the Catholic church, of course. But then I couldn't share the meal with my Episcopalian friends. And I believe I am where God has put me, so it isn't a real option for me right now anyway. So I weep in the pews and pray for unity and pray for the day that we may all sit at the table together.
I know what you mean. It's unsettling to see Christians becoming more schismatic (if that's a word) instead of less in recent years.
I've never had the opportunity to attend a Catholic service, though I will if the opportunity arises. I know it will bother me a lot though to not be welcome at the Lord's table. It's really sad; and I think how things like this must cause grief to God, who desires for us to be one.
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