Notre Dame De Paris
Notre Dame De Paris
Gazing upward while standing before such a majestic structure.
Every statue tells a story. Three arched doorways each tell their own story.
The most famous church in the world is this particular Notre Dame. Many do not realize there are numerous Notre Dame cathedrals scattered all over the world. Paris is just the most famous, and this cathedral sees more visitors than any other site in Paris (even more than the Eiffel Tower). Listening to one particular tour guide, she explained the intention of the architects and the catholic church itself was to cause people to look up. We do. Looking up meant one was looking up to God. I wonder, do we? Or do we merely admire the architecture; think about its difficult construction; wonder who the statues are; gaze in awe at the stained glass windows; and all the while miss it’s purpose, miss God speaking to us?
Looking back at the 60 years of my life, I’m seeing how God’s timing is always perfect. Today is no exception. As we stepped into the cathedral, a mass was about to begin. Slipping into a row, we made our way close enough to the front to hear, but not intrusive to others. Perhaps less than fifty or so were in attendance as the priest stepped into the aisle and walked its long length to the front of the altar. Though in French, enough familiar words were spoken, and the familiar format of a catholic service helped me to feel comforted by God. The priest spoke of family, forgiveness, and remembering to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We took communion, welcomed those around us (in english and using broken french phrases) and soon the mass service in the most famous cathedral in the world was all too quickly over.
Many tourists around us continued viewing the church as a museum (even during the church service) and failed to really “look up” and understand who God is. They snapped their photos; they looked at stained glass windows; they pondered who the statues depicted; and they listened to the church bells chime. How many opportunities to know God do we dismiss every day? I felt strengthened in my resolve to follow His leading. Though up until that moment I had questioned whether I “should” have left home when I did to travel and see what God wanted to show me, today I didn’t question it at all. In my heart I knew I was in the right place, at the right time. God was leading me.
