Revelation: Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
I listed something for sale on Facebook Marketplace and one thing led to another and before you know it, I entered the Facebook rabbit hole.
It wasn't long before a stumbled across a post from a looooong ago friend and it just seems fitting for today's verse. Oftentimes the Church gets a bad wrap. It's not surprising because the Church is of the world, though it was created by God. There is good within the Church though, beauty in the form of the Sacraments.
If you want to tune into a great Mass, check out teresa.church, and catch one of Father Frank's (the priest with whom I went on the Camino) homilies. One of his favorite things to say is that the Church is more than a building, it's going out into the world, helping the poor, the hungry, the lonely. The idea behind the Church is to leave it and go into the world and be an example to others.
I have been/experienced all these things...but still glad I can go to church.
For anyone and everyone that is struggling...
CHURCH IS HARD.
Church is hard for the person walking through the doors, afraid of judgement.
Church is hard for the pastor’s family, under the microscope of an entire body.
Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home, broken and battered by the world.
Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together, but doesn’t.
Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.
Church is hard for the single mom, surrounded by couples holding hands, and seemingly perfect families.
Church is hard for the widow and widower with no invitation to lunch after service.
Church is hard for the deacon with an estranged child.
Church is hard for the person singing worship songs, overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.
Church is hard for the man insecure in his role as a leader.
Church is hard for the wife who longs to be led by a righteous man.
Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately longs for a baby to love.
Church is hard for the single woman and single man, praying God brings them a mate.
Church is hard for the teenage girl, wearing a scarlet letter, ashamed of her mistakes.
Church is hard for the sinners.
Church is hard for me.
It’s hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect. Sunday best in behavior and dress.
However, underneath those layers, you find a body of imperfect people, carnal souls, selfish motives.
But, here is the beauty of church—
Church isn’t a building, mentality, or expectation.
Church is a body.
Church is a group of sinners, saved by grace, living in fellowship as saints.
Church is a body of believers bound as brothers and sisters by an eternal love.
Church is a holy ground where sinners stand as equals before the Throne of Grace.
Church is a refuge for broken hearts and a training ground for mighty warriors.
Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation. Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek restoration.
Church is a lesson in faith and trust.
Church is a bearer of burdens and a giver of hope.
Church is a family. A family coming together, setting aside differences, forgetting past mistakes, rejoicing in the smallest of victories.
Church, the body, and the circle of sinners-turned-saints, is where He resides, and if we ask, He is faithful to come.
So even on the hard days at church—
The days when I am at odds with a friend, when I’ve fought with my husband because we’re late once again. When I’ve walked in bearing burdens heavier than my heart can handle, yet masking the pain with a smile on my face. When I’ve worn a scarlet letter, under the microscope. When I’ve longed for a baby to hold, or fought tears as the lyrics were sung. When I’ve walked back in, afraid and broken, after walking away.
I’ll remember, Jesus has never failed to meet me there.
Reposted from a friend
Cathedral in Leon, Spain
Rainbow over Galicia, northern Spain
March 22
Mark: And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.”
Luke: and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
John: After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized.
Acts: Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you from your own people a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you.
Romans: the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
1 Corinthians: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you,
Galatians: But the scripture has imprisoned all things under the power of sin, so that what was promised through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Colossians: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.
1 Peter: who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
1 John: and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
Revelation: Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”