Filling the Empty Churches
Norte Dame in Reims
You would think that so many churches would be a sign that many people are religious, but if we judge such things as one’s faith by church attendance or by the number of churches we would be wrong.
No matter where you go in France you hear church bells.
Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens; and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3
You would think that so many churches would be a sign that many people are religious, but if we judge such things as one’s faith by church attendance or by the number of churches we would be wrong.
In fact that is the same problem we have in the States. We tend to view our rituals as evidence of our faith, rather than focus on our actions and our words.
In reading today’s lesson from 1 Thessalonians, I am reminded that the early church had no walls and no beautifully decorated towers with bells to call the congregation together. People gathered in each other’s homes and for the most part did so in secret for fear of persecution.
In Pakistan, a recent change in the law requires that all who register to vote must declare their religion, something we would never stand for here in the U.S.. Christian women are being raped and tortured for refusing to deny their faith, a throwback to the early days of the Church.
Paul, who had been one of the persecutors, knew how powerful fear of persecution was, and so through his conversion, he worked hard to spread the Good News and encourage believers in their suffering.
What can we say to those who suffer today?
When we protest against unfair and unjust practices, we take to the streets. We make a visible sign for the world to see that we won’t stand for injustice.
But what do we do to stand up for those who are being persecuted and killed for their faith?
Why not fill our churches with believers rather than tourists? Why not pick a weekend when everyone who believes, Muslims, Jews and Christians alike show their support for the oppressed and persecuted by going to pray in their respective houses of worship?
If we believe we have evolved in our faith to a point where we don’t need to go to church regularly, if at all, then why not put our churches to use for more than our individual worship practices, and make them bulwarks in the battle against injustice and brutality in the world?
If we want our light to shine throughout the world, what better place to shine from than the bell towers of our cathedrals and churches?
Imagine a day when there is no need to fight persecution. If we don’t make that our dream, it will never happen.
More to come...