The organ shrieks as we enter the sanctuary. Dissonant. Avant garde notes bouncing off ancient stone floors. Filling the arched ceilings.
Discordant.
Disconcerting.
Seemingly out of place with the luminous stained glass and stately wooden pews.
Historic nave
I walk the inner perimeter of the historic church nave. Repairs are ongoing. The entry fee we paid goes toward these.
Plaster peels off the walls. Exposing brick here and there.
A prominent plaque takes up a good portion of one wall. Displaying a long list of names. Deacons who served Sint Bavokerk. In the Netherlands. Through the centuries.
Echoes
The organ continues. Loudly.
I read of those who once played this very organ. Including G. F. Handel. And in 1766, 10-year-old Mozart.
The organist completes his piece. Dramatically.
And leaves us with the echoes.
Gravestones
In the quiet that follows, I glance through a church brochure. And discover what we’re walking on.
Gravestones. Forming the floor of the entire sanctuary.
The large stones under our feet are long. Smooth. Rectangular. Uneven. Many have a number inscribed. Or faint remains of letters.
Most are no longer readable.
Death and life
Standing on gravestones, I’m struck by images of death and life in a place of worship.
The faithful and the unfaithful sitting in the pews. Hearts visible to God alone.
Some going through the motions. Spectators. Others worshiping in Spirit and in truth.
Some dissonant chords. Others united as one for the glory of our King.
Living stone
Standing on gravestones, I remember the living stone. Rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God. The cornerstone whose gravestone was rolled away.
Jesus Christ.
Because of Him, we too are living stones. His redeeming love welcomes the broken. Uneven. Discordant. And transforms the unlikely for His glory
“As you come to Him. . . you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:4,5 ESV
Alleluia.
What about you?
What are you praying for the Body of Christ in this day and age?
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2 replies on “Standing on gravestones”
Love this, Susan. We are living stones. “I am not the God of the dead but of the living!” Thanks for sharing.
Yes! Perfect verse for this. Thanks for sharing.