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Tomorrow the second and final stage of the work on the church begins as it is decorated hopefully in time for a wonderful celebration of Pentecost when everything is done and dusted! Having work done on a building which is the church makes me reflect on what it means to be the church, the community that gathers together in God's presence to be transformed and nourished so that we go out and transform the world around us in the name of Christ. At times too much emphasis can be placed on the buildings that define us as church. At other times they can almost be forgotten as we recognise the pilgrim nature of our identity as the people of God.
We are certainly pilgrims on the journey through life and at the same time many of the key moments of our lives will be marked in a particular church building especially if you grow up in remain in the same area for most of your life. This gives the building a deep significance for people who gather together in it. More so the building is our designated meeting place with God where we put everything else to one side. Yes God is with us always and everywhere but a church is holy ground where we acknowledge God's presence and open our lives to Him. Therefore it is important that our church looks the very best that it can be: it is our meeting place with God where we are nourished and encouraged and it is here that the key moments of our lives are marked and celebrated in the sacraments.
Today we started to pack things away for the decorators but one thing won't move: the tabernacle. It is firmly secured. And the tabernacle (the word literally means to pitch your tent with) is a reminder that on our pilgrim journey God is with us. So wherever we are in our journey let's be aware that God has pitched His tent amongst us forever in Christ Himself and make sure we bring the key moments of our life into His presence as part of the community we belong to as the People of God.
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Holy Saviour RC Church - Nelson