And now for something completely different...
There are so many "in the moment" social issues to ponder as a Christian, everything from elections to the climate emergency to a president and his rabid minions.
So, how about an historic place of worship, for a change? Westminster Abbey in London, GB, celebrated the 750th anniversary of its consecration this past Sunday, which I find remarkable. Given the persistent threat of fire for old buildings (think Notre Dame) the demolition of many churches and monasteries during the time of Henry VIII, and the Nazi bombing of London during WWII it is bordering on miraculous that this edifice has survived.
I first stepped into the abbey as a 19-year-old kicking around England and France. I just wandered around London for a few days and Westminster was a world of wonders. Famous people, kings and queens, and writers and scientists were buried beneath the floor. How did Darwin make it in, I asked myself?
Remembrance Day Poppies
I have been back several times through the decades, including around Remembrance Day when regiments display poppies for all their fallen comrades. It is a powerful visual display.
There have been royal coronations and weddings and the funeral of Princess Diana, all of which have been broadcast around the world during the past 65 years.
Today Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess of Cornwall will attend the anniversary event where some of the abbey’s treasures will be on show. King Edgar’s grant of land in 960 enabling the establishment of the very first Benedictine monastery where the abbey now stands will be placed on the altar. The 14th-century Litlyngton Missal (book of services for the Roman Catholic mass) will be opened alongside it.
Despite cringing at the cost of upkeep for theses ancient piles I continue to be in awe of their beauty and the sense of the holy when entering. To know that other Christians have worshiped on this site for a thousand years is remarkable.
Have you visited Westminster Abbey? Is it okay that we keep these historic places of worship functioning at great expense?
Page from the Litlyngton Missal
1 comment:
Yes, been to W.A. and it is just incredible, to say the least. Whether it's that church or any other church that's hundreds of years old(we went to a thousand year old church in France), at the very least we owe it to those amazing workers who spent years and years building these structures to keep them going, not to mention the many who lost their lives doing so. Some things are worth the money.
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