After Mass Peggy and I went for coffee with friends at the local St. Tim's (aka Tim Horton's).
One friend said - as she was leaving Church a lady complained to her that she was wrong for 'visiting' in church and not reverencing the Tabernacle, or respecting others who wanted silence to pray.
Our friend was clearly smarting from what she felt was an unjust criticism. Her 'visiting' had included encouraging a profoundly sick friend; sharing about a young person's involvement in a migrant worker programme with a parish Deacon; and providing information for a Parish outreach.
So I thought - here are conflicting needs.
On Sunday the Community comes together for worship - praying, learning, singing, celebrating Eucharist, supporting, encountering Jesus. Many only see each other at this gathering.
Some of our Community say 'visiting' should be in the vestibule, or parking lot so the Church can remain a quiet sanctuary for praying and meditation. Others say our Sunday celebration should be an open opportunity for Faith exchanges in the common place of gathering.
How can we know God's feelings about this???
Communities are always interesting...
1 comment:
The BLOG looks and sounds great, however, there is a spelling correction to be made.
I would like to pass the blog on to my cousin in Ottawa who is very active in his church. I do believe he will find it quite interesting. It really does give one insight to who you are. A warm and Christian human being.
I have, on a few occasions heard other comments regarding meeting/talking in Church. Perhaps it should be re stated that Church, as in the days of Jesus is a meeting place as well as a place of worship. After all he preached wherever there was a gathering, be it in a market place, at the sea shore or in a temple. We are a community and communities gather. Hope I am saying this well.
One thing, I was never good at prose and poetry but I do go for what sounds good to me and the Blog sounds great.
Fondest regards
Sandra
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