Karen sat quietly in the...
Illustration
Karen sat quietly in the back row of a huge cathedral-type church. She liked the old
gothic architecture. She loved the high church liturgy. She lived for the Sundays of holy
communion. She did not want to do more than attend church, but she was a generous
giver to the deacon's relief fund. She kept a low profile in church, but loved it so much,
even if it was in an older neighborhood and had hard, wooden pews.
This church provided healing and stability for her after a long messy divorce. She lost her children to her ex-husband in a nasty court battle where he had a better attorney. She also lost their house. She believed that this church and its predictable liturgy was the place of healing and peace for her.
One Sunday, she heard a younger family remark in the pews ahead of her, "This place is boring! I want to go to a church that is more lively and entertaining." Like the blind man, Bartimaeus, and the community of Saint Mark, it is having faith in Jesus that makes us well.
This church provided healing and stability for her after a long messy divorce. She lost her children to her ex-husband in a nasty court battle where he had a better attorney. She also lost their house. She believed that this church and its predictable liturgy was the place of healing and peace for her.
One Sunday, she heard a younger family remark in the pews ahead of her, "This place is boring! I want to go to a church that is more lively and entertaining." Like the blind man, Bartimaeus, and the community of Saint Mark, it is having faith in Jesus that makes us well.
