Stonehenge

Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. - Acts 17:22-25

Stonehenge stands in the middle of a field in the Salisbury plain, surrounded on three sides by grazing sheep and, unfortunately, on one side by a major highway. Still, the ancient site holds a huge draw to tourists, historians and conspiracy theorists alike. While I had already been here once, we decided having a guest in town was a good reason for us all to go.

The site is now carefully fenced off and direct access to the stones is only allowed by specially approved groups, occasionally tourists but usually school groups. During opening hours, paying visitors are allowed to get within about 50 feet of some of the stones. This is to prevent not only the usual vandalism, but also attempts to pull down and destroy the stones. As it turns out, Stonehenge carries with it all sorts of legends and rumors about who built the circle and why - as you can imagine, most of them involve myths about pagans and the devil. Some have taken these myths so seriously that they want the place razed.

The thing is, building on Stonehenge began in 3100 BC and didn't finish until 1500 BC, long before Christ was even born, much less Christianity existed. Even the ancient Hebrew faith had a long way to go before it could even think of spreading; for that matter, the British Isles are a long trip from the Middle East. In other words, these people had no way of being Christian, much less anti-Christian. Instead, what they built was simply representative of what they had at the time, whether it was their ancient religion or a way to follow the seasons.

Something about the careful construction of the site, delicate selection of obscure stones, and astronomical line-up of its stones speaks of some kind of recognition of a higher cause. After all, working for over 1500 years on the same site seems to indicate its importance to the people of that time. Its correlation with movements of the sun seems to reinforce its possible religious indication. When humans build things worthy of a higher power, humans want those things to be significant and glorious.

In many ways, the ancient people that built Stonehenge are not much different from us today. In one very big similarity, they were clearly searching for that power greater than them that created all things and guides all things. Somehow, they were searching for that God which we now know throughout history and in the person of Jesus Christ. This might be dangerously universalist for some, but I don't see it as such. Just as Paul knew that the Athenians were searching for the final, true identity of God, perhaps the ancients at Stonehenge were doing the same. Today, people reach for money or fame as illusive gods, looking for anything to fill the void that only the Creator can.

I admire Stonehenge for the immense work these ancient people put into it, building their altar to an unknown god, with great respect for the ways humanity has tried to recognize its Creator. I lift up my prayer that one day, we will all be joined together in faith on the last day.

God of all things, we are constantly searching for you. Sometimes we go astray and put other gods - whether material or immaterial - first in our lives. Let your Holy Spirit guide us to truth and remind us that you are always greatest and first in all things. Let the searching of others teach us how to better see and hear you in our daily lives. We pray all these things in Christ's holy name, Amen.

Salisbury Cathedral - Prisoner's Candle

Then [the Son of Man] will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' - Matthew 25: 41-45

Having been to Salisbury Cathedral the last time I was in the UK, I didn't expect to see much that would surprise me. The baptismal font (see post below) was the first indicator that I was wrong. Since the church is, as I mentioned, a living and active congregation, it makes some changes in its architecture and decoration as well. For instance, I recall the last time I was there the Cathedral had set up one of its chapels as a special place to pray for the farming families affected by hoof and mouth disease, which was destroying livestock at that time. Since the epidemic has passed, the memorial is dismantled.

One thing I cannot recall seeing before is a candle in barbed wire, the symbol of Amnesty International and a general symbol for remembrance of prisoners of conscience. In fact, the gorgeous blue stained glass window at the back of the church, right behind the candle, was only constructed in the 1980s as a memorial and tribute to prisoners of conscience around the world. (Apparently its illusory, modern design is a bit of a scandal to some.) In all, the set up in the oldest part of the church makes for a very moving place of reflection and prayer.

For most people, prisoners are people who deserve what they've gotten. People go to prison for crimes they've committed, and whether you think jail is punishment, rehabilitation, or prohibition, if you end up there you broke the law and deserve little mercy. But what if the law itself is unjust? What if jail accomplishes one of its purposes and you are rehabilitated - only to await your death, either imposed or eventual? And what of the fact that we are all created good by God and deserving of mercy, no matter our crimes?

Nowhere are these questions more painful than in the face of prisoners of conscience. Because of their beliefs - usually against corrupt governments or painful oppression - these people are locked away. In countries where free speech and dissension have some kinds of protections, these kinds of prisoners sound like myths. But they are real, and we are called to defend and protect them.

Better yet, Christ calls us to help those imprisoned no matter what their crime. Jesus' story in Matthew 25 doesn't qualify only non-violent prisoners, he simply says "in prison". While it is exhausting, sometimes self-destructive work, those who serve and minister to people in prison are doing some of the most important ministry at all. This candle in Salisbury reminded me not only of those in prison unjustly, but those in prison at all - and especially, those who give everything they have to reach out to those prisoners.

Gracious God, who loves sinners, we know we all fall short of your intent for our lives. We point fingers at those who the world punishes more harshly for their sins, all the while ignoring your command to love them no matter what. Forgive us all our sins, and grant us each the strength to serve you through the least of these. Be with those jailed for whatever reason, that they might know of your love and forgiveness no matter what. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Salisbury Cathedral - Baptismal Font

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. - Psalm 23:1-3

Most of us have heard this passage more than a few times, and while most of us also have a very positive association with it, some of us can't hear it without thinking of a time of sickness, injury, stress or death. People immediately associate Psalm 23 with faith in general, but especially faith under duress.

I came across this baptismal font in Salisbury Cathedral, a church built in 1258 with an incredible history and gorgeous architecture. However, one of the best things about this site is that it is a thriving contemporary church as well as an ancient landmark. One of the ways they live this out is by continuing to adjust the site for their church's needs; in this case, it meant building a new, more modern and accessible, baptismal font in the center aisle of the church.

It pours continuously from each point of the roughly cruciform basin, falling almost silently into an enclosed catch below. The water comes exactly up to the top of the basin, making the surface of the moving water perfectly still and leaving the stained glass to reflect in it. Some tourists clearly mistake the font for a fountain and toss coins in, as you can see in the picture.

Making this baptismal water all the more poignant is the upcoming baptism of my first niece on Pentecost, less than a week away. She will come out of the waters as a newly washed Child of God, and the community will declare their commitment to raise her in faith. I will not be able to be there in person, but only in spirit.

These are the times when I think of Psalm 23. When the Psalmist tells us of these still waters that we are led past, I think of the quiet times when faith is sustained and nurtured. All too often, our faith only matters to us when it is tested; we forget that faith is also our daily bread. God leads us out into green pastures every day, not just on the days we know we need guidance, but even on the days we think we're fine on our own. My little niece will be claimed for a shepherd who will show her the way even when she'd rather go another direction. Still waters may not be very dramatic, but they're the stuff of daily life.

I dipped my fingers in the font and prayed for my niece, for the ones I love and miss, and for the grace to keep the faith on even the most mundane days.

Our Shepherd, you are a constant strength and guide even if - especially if - we think we're fine on our own. Remind us always of your love and care, so that when our faith is tested we will remember the green pastures and the still waters. We pray these things in your name, Amen.

The Tower of London

Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ - Ephesians 6:23-24

England in general, and London in particular, has a long history of cultural diversity. Since the time of the British Empire, the English people found themselves in contact with people of different colors, beliefs and lifestyles. While this didn't initially lead to a more tolerant, diverse community, it certainly has influenced it today. For all the trouble the US has with racism and intolerance, the effect seems considerably less in the UK. This little country appears to have assimilated well.

However, its history with religious tolerance is considerably more checkered. Starting with Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church in 1533, England fell into a Protestantism of his own devising. What started as a way for Henry to expand his personal power in the country and shift of his old wife quickly became a dangerous, oppressive system whereby adhering to Catholicism or questioning Henry's status as head of the church was treason and punishable by death.

Nowhere does the checkered history of Henry VIII and his influence on faith and politics in England become more apparent than in the Tower of London. Here much of England's early history plays out; in particular, the imprisonment and execution of a few famous people and countless unnamed victims of religious divisiveness. As a central fortress of the kingdom, it symbolized the country with all its strength and power. Therefore, it was also the place where the heads of traitors were showcased and the highest-profile criminals were killed, away from the prying eyes of the public.

After months in Rome, it should come as no surprise that a state-run church can wield such unquestioned and corrupt power over peoples' lives. However, it still amazes and frightens me. While I have never questioned the value of faith in individuals of power and authority, situations like these have always made me flinch at the suggestion of established state faiths. After all, the religious divide between Protestant and Catholic continued to play out in recent memory between Ireland and England. In the name of religion, but likely only in the name of power, people continue to die.

Christians killing people of other faiths is horrifying enough, but when Christians attack those who believe in Christ as they do with just a few differences the shock is incredible. Our faith calls us to unity, yet we place ambition, power, and greed above even Jesus himself. May our past remind us of the need for unity.

God of the nations, while we call out to you we deny others their place in your Kingdom. Forgive us our selfish assumptions that we deserve you more than others, and grant us the grace to love our neighbors as we love you. May all who call you Lord be able to call each other Sister and Brother. We pray this in Christ's name, Amen.