England Trip-More Reflections

This is my take on cathedrals.

I was so looking forward to going to England and seeing some amazing cathedrals. Church Buildings that have been around for hundreds or thousands of years. In the last week or so I have seen a few churches in the area proudly saying they are celebrating their 175 year or some other number. And for us that seems a long time but for England that is pretty short. So there I am standing in front of Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Westminister Cathedral, and other amazing church buildings and my conflicted nature comes out.

Let me explain.... I am overwhelmed with the beauty and the transcendence in the cathedrals (especially gothic structures with flying buttresses). I feel a sense of connection with God. I see God reflected in the building, the art work (especially stained glass and the rose windows), and the space. But at the same time my heart breaks knowing that most of these buildings were built on the back of the poor and oppressed. That to create this amazing structure (the two pictures above are Westminster Abbey) many poor were taxed heavily and that God's desire for mercy, justice, and taking care of the poor and oppressed were overlooked so that the "elite" could have a place of worship.

I have lots of more reflections that I could share.... please feel free to ask, e-mail or talk with me and I can share them with you. I will share a little next week about some of the worship gatherings that I visited while in England.

Ryan