The door closed silently behind me as I entered the church of The Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was early Saturday morning and the church was empty, or so I thought. I had come in through the doors of the old sanctuary and found the inside darker than I expected. Taking pictures was going to be difficult.
I have always enjoyed exploring as a kid, so I normally take a good walk around, before I take the first picture. Crossing from the old sanctuary into the new, I stopped to admire the cross shaped baptism. While debating on whether to take a picture or continue with my tour, movement near the altar drew my attention.
Had the man just been kneeling or standing with head bowed and hands clasped, I probably would not have even known he was there. But there was no mistaking why he was there. Here was a man in deep animated discussion with God. As the man paced and gestured with his arms making his silent plea to the Lord, I couldn’t help but think of an Old Testament story from 1 Samuel.
1 Samuel 1:12-16 (NIV)
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.” “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer, I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
Fascinated with this unexpected find, I observed and wonder what could have brought him here. What brings any man or woman to prostrate themselves before God? It was a question worthy of contemplation, but one that would have to wait. Not wishing to intrude any further, I decided it would be best to leave before he became aware of my presence.
I left as quietly as I had come, without taking any pictures, but I did not leave empty handed. Instead of pictures, I got one of my best “Where did you see Jesus” moments and the question “What brings us here?”
All pictures taken at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
Look for the upcoming post “What Brings Us Here?” The Answer
I have always enjoyed exploring as a kid, so I normally take a good walk around, before I take the first picture. Crossing from the old sanctuary into the new, I stopped to admire the cross shaped baptism. While debating on whether to take a picture or continue with my tour, movement near the altar drew my attention.
Had the man just been kneeling or standing with head bowed and hands clasped, I probably would not have even known he was there. But there was no mistaking why he was there. Here was a man in deep animated discussion with God. As the man paced and gestured with his arms making his silent plea to the Lord, I couldn’t help but think of an Old Testament story from 1 Samuel.1 Samuel 1:12-16 (NIV)
As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.” “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer, I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
Fascinated with this unexpected find, I observed and wonder what could have brought him here. What brings any man or woman to prostrate themselves before God? It was a question worthy of contemplation, but one that would have to wait. Not wishing to intrude any further, I decided it would be best to leave before he became aware of my presence.
I left as quietly as I had come, without taking any pictures, but I did not leave empty handed. Instead of pictures, I got one of my best “Where did you see Jesus” moments and the question “What brings us here?”
All pictures taken at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
Look for the upcoming post “What Brings Us Here?” The Answer
The pictures in this post were taken on a different visit. They just happen to be cleaning the church and getting it ready for a wedding so all the lights were on. The Crucifix picture is intentionally dark. I thought it better reflected the mood of the post.
ReplyDelete