Notre-Dame

Back on the bus by 4 pm to go on to Notre Dame. There is more elaborate art within, but the sanctuary is darked.

Behind the altar a path leads around in a semi-circle. On the outside walls are chapels, confessionals, prayer rooms, statuary. On the inside are: ? More worship areas? Space for worship leaders to gather? I am not sure, nor sure of the terminology for the space. If I find anything, I will post further.

But on the inner wall, to the left of the altar as you face it, is a bas relief depicting the life of Jesus from the Annunciation through Jesus in the garden. I didn't go round the other side to see if the passion continued there, or was it the pulpit and the table in the center of the altar that told the rest of the story.

Studying this sculpture, I realized that a part of it depicted the killing of the innocent babies as the holy family fled to Egypt. Something we often leave out of our remembrances. From the very beginning there was blood. And violence. The world has never been very much in favor of what Jesus has to offer, and has wanted to kill it (and him) from the very beginning. Jesus and his gospel are a threat. If no one is very much threatened by most of us Christians these days, if no one is out gunning for us, perhaps it is because we are not very Christlike in our living.

Brian noted the footwashing in this sculpture seemed to come AFTER the meal. Jeff meditated on the message in that: we can only serve others after we have been fed, perhaps.

Vespers was about to start, people were gathering for worship, and there were ushers about, giving out bulletins. We spoke to one who said he was a church volunteer. The care of the building is paid for by the state, but the care of the worship and ministry is supported by the congregation. Interesting to talk about the similarities and differences in church when the state has a part in it.

We stayed for vespers. It was a sung service, and beautiful. There is something wonderful about these stone walls and floors, something that speaks of so many generations of prayer. Let's stay a few moments in silence, before we board the bus that will take us to the boat ride.