Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping His commandments, as at this day.
1 Kings 8:61 ESV
1 Kings 8:61 ESV
Dear Friends,
The picture above is Chartres Cathedral in France, known as an excellent example of French Gothic architecture. This is one of my most favorite places that I have ever visited. It was built in medieval times and is one of the most completely surviving medieval churches. Some of its stained glass and sculptures date back to the 12th and 13th century. In fact, no direct light enters the church, because all light is filtered through stained glass. It is absolutely beautiful, and it immediately strikes a reverent reaction as your eyes are drawn upwards.
Chartres also exemplifies the concept of commitment. This medieval church still stands and is still in use after surviving two major fires as well as a number of wars and revolutions.
Chartres Cathedral is not only known for its ancient stained glass, but it is also very well known for its labyrinth, which pattern has been copied all over the world. It is the only labyrinth still intact in France and it is 320 meters of winding paths. There is only one way in and one way out, and one must walk the whole 320 meters to get through it. It was used for prayer walks and thought to be symbolic of the sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There are many mysteries and symbolism to labyrinths, but I want to focus on the walk itself. As we talked about in my sermon on the Armor of God, there is only the choice to keep moving forward or to stand your ground. The analogy to commitment of the labyrinth is that you chose to keep moving; you choose to keep walking forward with God.
Chartres Cathedral, in and of itself, has become a pilgrimage destination. Some go there for its architecture. Some for its labyrinth. Some because it is considered sacred ground and holds ancient religious relics.
Today, the Cathedral still shows that it stands firm to its commitments. Not only is it still an active congregation, but it took a stand against the Second Vatican Council in 1969. Chartres seeks to preserve and still uses the Latin Mass, in spite of the Second Vatican Council changing to a new liturgy. People pilgrimage to Chartres, simply because of this. They want to attend the Latin Mass.
Hundreds of years have gone by, but this beautiful church remains, both the building and an active congregation. It is an amazing example of commitment to God, to each other, to their purpose, and to their history.
Can the same level of commitment be found in American churches today? We do not have to have a building dating back to the medieval times to show commitment. Can the same level of commitment be found in our own lives? We do not have to be walking labyrinths or holding onto valuable relics to show this type of commitment. All we need are willing hearts and devoted minds to follow God and, His Son, Jesus, according to the Scriptures.
Take care until next we meet,
Pastor Jessi
The picture above is Chartres Cathedral in France, known as an excellent example of French Gothic architecture. This is one of my most favorite places that I have ever visited. It was built in medieval times and is one of the most completely surviving medieval churches. Some of its stained glass and sculptures date back to the 12th and 13th century. In fact, no direct light enters the church, because all light is filtered through stained glass. It is absolutely beautiful, and it immediately strikes a reverent reaction as your eyes are drawn upwards.
Chartres also exemplifies the concept of commitment. This medieval church still stands and is still in use after surviving two major fires as well as a number of wars and revolutions.
Chartres Cathedral is not only known for its ancient stained glass, but it is also very well known for its labyrinth, which pattern has been copied all over the world. It is the only labyrinth still intact in France and it is 320 meters of winding paths. There is only one way in and one way out, and one must walk the whole 320 meters to get through it. It was used for prayer walks and thought to be symbolic of the sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There are many mysteries and symbolism to labyrinths, but I want to focus on the walk itself. As we talked about in my sermon on the Armor of God, there is only the choice to keep moving forward or to stand your ground. The analogy to commitment of the labyrinth is that you chose to keep moving; you choose to keep walking forward with God.
Chartres Cathedral, in and of itself, has become a pilgrimage destination. Some go there for its architecture. Some for its labyrinth. Some because it is considered sacred ground and holds ancient religious relics.
Today, the Cathedral still shows that it stands firm to its commitments. Not only is it still an active congregation, but it took a stand against the Second Vatican Council in 1969. Chartres seeks to preserve and still uses the Latin Mass, in spite of the Second Vatican Council changing to a new liturgy. People pilgrimage to Chartres, simply because of this. They want to attend the Latin Mass.
Hundreds of years have gone by, but this beautiful church remains, both the building and an active congregation. It is an amazing example of commitment to God, to each other, to their purpose, and to their history.
Can the same level of commitment be found in American churches today? We do not have to have a building dating back to the medieval times to show commitment. Can the same level of commitment be found in our own lives? We do not have to be walking labyrinths or holding onto valuable relics to show this type of commitment. All we need are willing hearts and devoted minds to follow God and, His Son, Jesus, according to the Scriptures.
Take care until next we meet,
Pastor Jessi
RSS Feed
