Il Colosseo

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. - Philippians 3:10-12

The Colosseum stands among Rome's most iconic images. On a short list of "things to see" in Rome, you'll find the Colosseum without a doubt. However, the question is often why people want to see the Colosseum. For some, it's a matter of historical wonder. For others, it's another great photo op. However, for many Christians who come to Rome on pilgrimage, the Colosseum represents the persecution of Christians off and on throughout the first centuries of the faith at the hands of the Roman empire.

It is indeed possible that Christians were killed at the Colosseum. Since it was built between 70 and 80 AD it would have been in high usage in the following centuries, during which there were periods of intense Christian persecution. Also, while the Colosseum did host such events as drama, gladiator shows, animal hunts (with real exotic animals), and even possibly mock naval battles, there were also executions. After all, over 50,000 people could attend events at the Colosseum, and they were often political in nature; it would be an excellent forum to remind people of the rule of the state.

However, to believe that the Colosseum was not only where all Roman Christians were martyred but used primarily for this purpose is inaccurate. In fact, the association with martyrdoms and the Colosseum can be traced only as far back as the 16th century; recovered lists of important pilgrimage sites in Rome before that bear no mention of the Colosseum. Furthermore, through even the Medieval Ages, the Colosseum found various uses as a market, stable, and fortress - hardly a carefully preserved holy site. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a prominent bishop who was martyred during a period of persecution, is often believed to have been killed in the Colosseum; however, his well-documented imprisonment and death only states that he died in "the arena", of which there were many in Rome.

Nonetheless, the church considers the Colosseum an important religious place. Sure, it's always full of secular school groups and wide-eyed tourists, surrounded by a very impious hoard of trinket sellers and panini stands, and subject to a sizable entry fee. It's still the place that the Via Crucis centers on Good Friday services, and still has several crosses positioned both inside and out. Even with the secular historical dimensions, and even without its intense connections to the early Christian martyrs, it is an important place to consider.

I can look at the Colosseum and be amazed by 2,000 years of history staring back at me. The technology at the time used to create it, combined with the incredible manpower it required, astounds me. Even the mass of humanity gathered around the place makes me shake my head. However, when I think about it, I realize that even more incredible to me is the faith of a martyr. I would like to believe that if it was required of me, I would assert my faith to the point of death. But in the face of such imminent physical pain, I cannot honestly say. The memory of the martyrs challenges me and reminds me that I do not come to this faith alone - it is only by the grace of God.

God of mercy, we give thanks for the Spirit's constant work in us, building our faith through the grace selflessly given by your Son's death and resurrection. Forgive us, Lord, when we stumble in our faith and deny you in thought, word, and deed. Remind us of those who have praised your name even to their death; save us from such a trial, and give us courage should we face it anyway. In you we have strength. Amen.

Castel Sant'Angelo

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10

If you've read any Dan Brown books, the mythology and lore of Roman art and architecture probably have a much different significance for you than what it really holds. While these ancient sites likely have more than their fair share of secrets and scandals, it's not likely quite the way he depicts it. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is Castel Sant'Angelo. In his book "Angels And Demons", he makes this place out to be the illicit lair of the Illuminati, complete with super-secret passageway to the Vatican. In reality, it's served many purposes throughout history - one of them being safe storage for the Pope, for which the "secret" passageway does indeed exist, albeit very visibly.

The building began its life as a tomb for the Roman emperor Hadrian in 138, and other emperors were also buried there. However, following the fall of Rome it was vandalized and fell into disrepair, as so many things did. It eventually became a military fortress, and by the 14th century it became a sort of Papal castle. It was generally intended to be used to house the Pope in times of crisis - something Clement VII was thankful for in 1527. It was also a prison, as immortalized in Puccini's Tosca, and is now a rather benign museum.

Nonetheless, I can hardly look at an old castle without thinking of the Bible's multiple references to castles and fortresses. Maybe these analogies don't work as well in our day, since we don't really have them around any more. But when I look at Castel Sant'Angelo, I know exactly what Proverbs intends us to hear: God is vast, secure, spacious, and most importantly, unbelievably strong. Just as the Pope would run to this castle in time of greatest need, so we run to our God when things seem most desperate. No matter what the crisis, God will protect. God will shield. When we are granted the faith to claim God as our God, we are granted everything that comes with it, including everlasting security.

One of my seminary professors noted that most people have trouble with this concept seeing as how much goes wrong in life: sickness, injury, war, famine, death. He noted that given all these horrors, it's remarkable that we are able to survive at all. He attributes this to God's eternal protection and guidance. It's the only thing that keeps things going. In a world of danger and disease, our God is a strong tower that gives us refuge.

Lord God, in you we are promised refuge. Your guidance and mercy give hope even when things seem darkest. Grant us the faith to trust you in all things, keeping the faith always. Please shield us from the terrors of life, and give us healing when they attack us. In all things, we praise you and your strength, no matter what. All these things we know and believe in your Son's gracious name, Amen.

Water Fountains

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. - Revelation 22:1-2

Being a thirsty tourist gets pretty easy in Rome. Throughout the city, you find tons of fountains ready and waiting for your empty water bottle. In fact, you can safely assume that any running water throughout the city can be safely consumed unless it is in the vast minority marked acqua non potabile (water not drinkable). You could technically climb into any one of the numerous ornamental fountains, but the bathing pigeons - not to mention your wet shoes and pants - would probably serve as sufficient deterrent.

Instead, you can walk up to any of the constantly-flowing water spigots found in numerous nooks, crannies, piazzas, and street corners in Rome. Being so close to mountain streams and pure springs, these fountains have no shortage of fresh, cool water. People walk up to them to wash their hands, splash some water on their face, fill a bottle, or even plug the end to shoot some water up through the tiny hole on the top, a la American water fountain. Everyone gathers to these fountains, especially on hot days, and everyone is grateful for them.

It brings to my mind the utopia in Revelation, where water flows through the city and healing trees grow on its banks. Rome is hardly the pristine New Jerusalem, and its fountains aren't exactly the water of life, but its the reminder and not the reality that counts. The ubiquity of water in this city, and the way it restores everyone from affluent tourists to thirsty beggars, constantly brings to mind the frequent Biblical references to water. Water brings death and destruction in abundance, brings suffering and pain in its absence, and gives life and renewal in simple presence. It's no wonder the river of life is such a powerful, peaceful image - water in this form gives life to life, and reminds us of our dependence on God's gifts.

I drink out of these Roman fountains often, having long since put aside my fears of germs. (You have to get over that pretty quickly in Rome, anyway.) Every time I do, I remind myself of God's graciousness. God provides us love and grace as overflowing as a fountain, and I can fill up at it any time. It washes away my dirtiness, quenches my thirst, and unites me with my neighbor in my need. Just as I was washed in water at baptism, I am renewed by it every time I take a sip. These fountains may not be the river of life, but they'll keep me going until I can sit on its banks.

God of abundance, you bless us with everything we need in this world and in the next. In water you claim us, clean us, and constantly renew us. Remind us of your call in our baptism, and keep us ever refreshed in its waters. Bring us together finally in the New Jerusalem, where we can gather at the shores of the river of life and be in your presence always. We pray this in your Son's name, Amen.

Greenwich Prime Meridian

[The LORD said,] "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? - Job 38:4-7

Not being much of a science person, I can't quite explain the difference between the latitudes and longitudes of the Earth. I know that the poles and the Equator have strange and unique characteristics that set them definitively on the planet. Conversely, I know that the same is not said for the lines of longitude. In fact, at the Prime Meridian, you will experience nothing more unusual than many different languages being spoken and a large red line across the pavement. This is because the Prime Meridian set in Greenwich, England was completely set by humans as an aid for navigation and telling time.

Today, this line generally sets the International Date Line and separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. The scientists at the Greenwich Observatory took the liberty of setting it, and by 1884 it was nearly globally accepted as the standard for navigation. The reason it goes through England is simply because in 1851, when it was established, English ships still held great influence on the seas and having a central navigational point served them well in their business.

Ironically, this well-marked line does not serve as the zero point in satellite navigation systems; the real center point is just over 300 feet to the east. Since I'm not a science person, I can't explain to you exactly how it was determined that this other line more clearly represented an actual center point on the globe based on star observations, gravity, and continental drift. Apparently, the actual zero point can be found by locating a possibly sarcastically-located garbage can on the Royal Observatory's grounds.

I may not speak science, but I can tell you what this realization makes me think about. When God admonishes Job at the end of his self-titled story, God does some serious head-shaking about Job's presumption that he is indeed the center of the universe and things really, honestly do revolve around him and his piety. God makes things pretty clear: humanity is not the be-all, end-all in creation. Any time humanity tries to do this, odds are things get seriously lopsided. God's reminder to Job is a reminder to us all: God made this world, and even if we think we could have done it better, we're just part of the grand scheme.

It's hard to be put in your place in a grand, cosmic scheme. We want to make it all about us and the way it should work to make things easier - but it's a lie. That's not the way the world works. Even the Prime Meridian, that great feat of human ingenuity, is sort of mostly wrong. No matter how much we don't like it, God sets those boundaries. At the end of the day, it's a job I'll leave willingly to God. After all, I'm not much of a science person.

God of all things, you have made all things and made them so good! We cannot understand everything, and sometimes we challenge you for the role of creator. Remind us gently that you are in charge, and help us to trust you in all things. Even as we try to understand the mysteries of creation, help us to see you as the source active in all of it. Amen.

The Pools At Bath

Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids-- blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. - John 5:2-9a

While England and Italy might seem worlds apart, they are linked in more than a few ways. One of the more interesting pieces is the way they both represent the spread of the ancient Roman Empire, that world power that saw the birth and death of Christ. Roman ruins are not just the realm of Rome, but of much of the European continent. So it should not be any surprise that even England boasts a large amount of remarkable Roman sites. One of these is the spring of Aquae Sulis and the city of Bath.

The spring that bubbles out of the ground here has been likely venerated for over 10,000 years. Keeping a constant temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit and flowing at the rate of a quarter million gallons a day, it's a natural event not likely to go unnoticed. The original inhabitants dedicated the site to Sulis, a goddess of water, and when the Romans arrived they co opted the site for Minerva. While the site had always been revered as a place of healing, it was also believed that the place was so holy that people could use it to communicate with the divine; prayers, petitions, and offerings were often thrown into the hot water. Even after the temple fell to ruin, Bath became the place to see and be seen by those treating the spring as a spa to soak in and drink up.

It's the first time I've ever seen something like it, and just being there gave me a better understanding of this story from John. At this particular site in Bath, there were numerous side pools, steam rooms, and cooling baths to be used in combination for the best cleaning and healing effect. However, this was typically reserved for the most wealthy or well-connected. Perhaps others found a way to the waters, but it is not likely. How were these most desperate people to find healing?

One of the most overwhelming aspects of Christ's nature is his ability to heal. Many people tend to focus on the otherworldly aspects of his teachings, making it easy to forget what he promises for us here and now. While he certainly points us to God and righteousness, he also grants healing and wholeness in unexpected ways at unexpected times. When we are most hopeless and broken, Jesus invites us to take up our mat and walk. This is not because we can afford it or even because we deserve it, but simply because God is that good.

Our heavenly Father, in this life our bodies are subjected to great physical pain and sickness. As your Son healed the lame man by the healing pools, so come to us in our need and grant us wholeness. Work through physicians of all kinds to bring this relief, and give patience to those still awaiting your healing. Remind us always that we are in need of the restoration only you can bring through your Son Jesus, Amen.

Tree Of Life in the British Museum

In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. - Micah 4:14

In the British Museum, you don't just find culturally significant artifacts from thousands of years ago - although that is a pretty exciting thing for most people. You can also come across information of all sorts about society and culture today. In fact, some areas of the museum focus on this, giving us a better idea about people and places contemporaneous with us that we might not otherwise have the ability to see and learn about. The section on Africa, while small, paints a picture not just of a vast continent of the past, but a diverse region facing many challenges today - challenges that call the world community together.

One of the most powerful exhibits is the Tree of Life, a nearly ten foot tall sculpture made entirely of weapons. Its spreading branches are guns, the animals playing in its shade are guns, even the fish and mammals off to the side are, you guessed it, guns. It was created from decommissioned weapons collected after Mozambique's long civil war. People were encouraged to turn in their weapons for a small profit, while artists were commissioned to turn them into works of art.

A scripturally-inspired bishop first envisioned the project, and the British Museum ended up making a huge event around the installation when it first arrived in 2005. It shows a country and continent that not only faces great political turmoil, but has such abundant hope. This exhibition doesn't focus simply on the war and strife prevalent across so much of the continent, but also a cultural system that makes beauty out of anything available. For those of us who may never physically find ourselves in any part of Africa, we can still see the glorious cultures the continent holds and learn more about the challenges it constantly faces.

Perhaps even more amazingly, it shows that there are those people so inspired by their faith that they can take a singularly violent object and make it into a potently inspiring work of art. This tree shows us that good can come from evil, and we must never give up hope that it can happen especially to those who need it most.

God of peace, we face so much violence. Even though we are made in your image, we constantly reach out in anger and hatred to our neighbor. Be especially with those in Africa, which seems to hold more than its fair share of war, sickness, and poverty. Grant hope and healing to those who most need it, and remind us that our neighbor may be a world away. We pray these things in the name of your Son, who longs to gather us all together. Amen.

The Rosetta Stone

"For I know their works and their thoughts, and I am coming to gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and shall see my glory, and I will set a sign among them. For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, says the Lord; so shall your descendants and your name remain. From new moon to new moon, and from sabbath to sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me," says the Lord. - Isaiah 66:18-19a, 22-23

Underneath the single roof of the British Museum you will find examples of culturally relevant artifacts from every single major era in history. While some cultures do indeed want their history back, the fact that all these things can be observed and experienced in one place makes an excellent argument for keeping them exactly where they are. Some of these things are so fabled that once you're actually able to come face-to-face with it, you can hardly believe your eyes.

For me, one of these things is the Rosetta Stone. As a kid, I was fascinated with all sorts of ancient cultures and myths, so of course I spent some time with the Egyptians. Their mysterious hieroglyphics and the single stone inscription that finally led to their translation, completely enthralled me. In fact, I suspect that some of my love for language stems back to this linguistic milestone. So it's pretty exciting that one of the first pieces of culture that you practically trip over is the Rosetta Stone itself.

It's not actually a terribly remarkable looking thing. It's only a couple of feet tall, and it's not even totally intact. Plus, since it's very prominent in the museum, it's always surrounded by a throng of tourists. But simply looking at it allows you to look back into history. It reminds you of the obscurity of ancient culture and the amazing fact that scholarship has slowly allowed us to understand our own history. In fact, the ability to read our own scriptures stems from the same kind of linguistic scholarship that opened up Egyptian culture to the world. In a way, the Rosetta Stone represents the partnership between piety and scholarship, language and worship, history and society, that makes faith such a remarkable thing.

While all of the world may not indeed be gathered together in this lifetime, at least there are places, people, and information that can help us better understand each other. Perhaps they can even help us better understand our God. Until then, we pray for enlightenment and patience.

God, our great teacher, through you we have all that makes us human. We are especially thankful for the intellect that you gave us, so that we can better understand each other, our histories, and most importantly you. Keep us from using our knowledge to oppress and condemn, but instead to celebrate and unite in your Son's name. Amen.

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.

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.

Torre Argentina

And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. - Genesis 1:24-25

I am a huge animal lover, and I am especially fond of cats. My two little ones are being well cared for back in Minnesota, but I miss them very much. Both of them were strays - Pangur entered my life at a year old from a shelter, Loki was just a tiny stray kitten offered me from someone's backyard. They have greatly enriched my life, just as the many pets my family has had through the years do.

Therefore, I was more than just a little thrilled to come across Torre Argentina, a refuge for stray cats here in Rome. The shelter itself is ingeniously contained within an ancient ruin that is completely enclosed. This way, those cats that are feral or simply too independent for adoption have free reign in a safe, secure space. Those cats with a good chance of finding a home are kept in a side part of the area where the cats can be more closely cared for and visitors can try to find a cat of their very own. It's a beautiful balance of needs and availability, both in terms of the cats themselves and the space.

Unfortunately, many of the cats at the shelter have very sad stories. As it turns out, Rome has more than its fair share of stray, neglected or abused cats; due to the general lack of concern for spaying and neutering, that number continues to increase. Some of these poor little things had missing legs, no eyes, or were malnourished past their ability to care for themselves. It broke my heart to see these animals - not just because of my love for animals and my immediate thoughts of my little ones, but because of the way humans are able to to this to other animals.

Too often, humans take the charge in Genesis to rule over all creation all wrong. People seem to think it means they can abuse and manipulate what God has made, when instead they are put in a unique place to love and care for this good creation. Even something so seemingly trivial as an alley cat is indeed a beautiful creation of God, something God could say was very good indeed. It reminded me of our need for constant vigilance on behalf of creation, whether plant, animal or mineral, for the sake of God and our neighbor.

God our Creator, you have made this world and made it so good. When we abuse and neglect it, we show disrespect to you and this amazing life you have given us all. Grant us your mercy, that we might show it to all your creation. Give us your wisdom, so we can discern your will for all things. Show us your love, that we might shower compassion on all the good things of this world. We pray all these things in your name, Amen.

La Torre di Pisa

Then [the people] said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. And the Lord said, "Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another's speech." So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. - Genesis 11:4-8

There's something about the Leaning Tower of Pisa (or, as the locals simply call it, la torre) that has always drawn me. Somewhere in my mind, it has always made me think of the Tower of Babel, perhaps because of the way it mirrors that sense of human folly. It's also a major tourist destination, drawing people from all over, demonstrating how one tower can be surrounded by all the languages of the world

Construction started on the tower in 1173 and over the next nearly 200 years it started and stopped. It was supposed to be another jewel in the crown of Pisa, a powerful and artistic city of its time. However, before the tower was even finished it had already started to lean, due to an unstable foundation on one side. There have been many attempts to secure the tower and threats to balance it out, but the most recent effort simple stabilized it. After all, the tower's lean is what draws tourists. Today, it is assumed that the tower is safe for about another 300 years; to make sure, tourists are only allowed up the tower in controlled numbers at limited times.

The climb to the top of the tower isn't easy. While the angle isn't much, it's enough to make climbing a series of circular stairs difficult. Also, since the tower is almost 900 years old, the stairs have well-worn dents in them, making the slippery surface even more treacherous. The view from the top, however, is well worth it. Looking down on the piazza below, you almost feel like you're on top of the world - that is, until you see snow-capped mountains in the distance, and realize you've barely risen above the surface.

It seems ironic that a major engineering mistake has become a huge destination. I'd like to believe it's because people feel better when reminded that even the most amazing of human endeavors cannot be perfect. However, I think the place has simply become a destination in itself. Saying you've climbed the leaning tower gives a sense of worldly accomplishment - exactly the opposite of what this failed attempt at glory for the city actually symbolizes.

God of all creation, we know that perfection can be found only in you. You have made us very well, and in spite of our best attempts, we are not You. Draw us together under your name in spite of our differences, remind us each of our humble nature, and call us always to service and not selfishness. We pray these things in your name, Amen.

Acqua Alta - Venezia

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." - Genesis 9:8-11

One of the distinguishing marks of Venice is its canals. The city itself is built in a lagoon, and the land under the historical city is actually a series of 122 small islands connected by a series of bridges. The Grand Canal snakes through the center of the city, providing the central means of transport through Venice. On any of these canals, whether small or wide, you can see a series of gondolas, vaporettos (water taxis), or personal boats. Actual land-based roads are tiny, circuitous, and frequently dead-end.

Apparently, Venice was first built in this precarious place as more and more people fled mainland barbarian invasions. Eventually, the city came to embrace its aquatic status and became a major player on the world stage by virtue of its incredible maritime endeavors, staging huge battles and becoming a powerful shipping port. To this day, Venetians seem more comfortable on water than on land.

Unfortunately, humans and cities were not exactly built for the water. In the approximately 1,000 years of Venice, the city has slowly and resolutely sunk into the sea. Also, being at the mouth of a river and on unsteady land, it is very vulnerable to high tide. This rising water, particularly the fast and exceptionally high type, is referred to as the acqua alta which means simply 'high water'. At these times, sirens sound and low-lying areas (especially those around San Marco) are generally vacated.

This frequent flooding hasn't seemed to deter the Venetians, but it does demonstrate the irrefutable power of the sea. The ancient Hebrews saw the ocean as the site of true primordial chaos, and even co-oped the words for sea from other cultures to refer to beasts and demons. Water is uncontrollable by humans, no matter how many boats and bridges they build, and no matter how we try to overcome it we find ourselves drawn to and threatened by it.

Perhaps because of the frequent flooding of my own hometown, I have never been completely comfortable with water. Especially at this time of the year, when spring thaw forces even the tiniest stream into a raging, dangerous river, I find myself frustrated and threatened by the inexorable force of rising water. I can't imagine the faith of Noah, closing himself into his likely very rickety boat, praying that God would keep those promises made. Thank goodness for Noah - and Venice, and also my own home - God does indeed keep promises.

God of all creation, you have promised never to destroy us. You have committed yourself to us and to all the things you have made. Remind us always of your faithfulness as we seek to be faithful to you, even in the face of rising water and impending danger. We pray these things in the name of your Son, Amen.

Pompeii Scavi

Those who feasted on delicacies perish in the streets; those who were brought up in purple cling to ash heaps. - Lamentations 4:5

Not to be confused with the nearby modern city of Pompeii, Pompeii Scavi (which means excavation) can be found a commuter train ride away from Napoli, Italy. The ancient city was buried under tons of ash during an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in August of 79 AD. About 1,600 years later the city was slowly excavated, giving us an extremely well-preserved example of what ancient life was like. The city was literally stopped in its tracks by the eruption, leaving behind petrified examples of bread, fruit, and all sorts of other daily activities - including graffiti, prostitution and excess.

Frighteningly, the people themselves were also left behind. Most suffocated on poisonous gases and were buried under ash. Today, plaster casts have been made of those bodies and are on display throughout the site. Most frightening is the fact that on many faces, you can still make out expressions of pain, fear and desperation.

Some might try to make some kind of connection between Pompeii's infamous love for the erotic and passion for excess and its quick, untimely destruction. Living in the time recently following Christ, some might say that God was clearing out pagans and those wrapped in the pleasures of the flesh and showing that their time had passed. It's a tempting thought, since it gives some kind of meaning to this incredible disaster and grand loss of life.

Even today, we use these kinds of explanations. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis that leave massive destruction and death in their wake are explained as punishment and purification by God. It's an easy explanation, but doesn't quite ring true. After all, Mt. Vesuvius killed innocent and extravagant all in one cloud, just as Hurricane Katrina took young, old, poor and wealthy all at once. After all, God promised Abraham that even Sodom would be spared if there were even 10 worthy people there. If God is just, God would keep those promises even today.

Perhaps instead, we can be reminded of two things by the story of Pompeii: no wealth or luxury is ever permanent, and disasters occur to faithful and faithless alike. We will always do well to put our ultimate trust in God no matter what - tragedy or success, wealth or poverty, life or death - and to not jump to conclusions at others' expense.

Just and gracious God, in the face of tragedies and uncertainties, help us to always put our trust in you. Keep us from the lure of easy answers and the draw of material goods, and remind us that the only answers are from you, the only wealth is your grace. Give healing and rest to those battered by tragedy, and give us always your peace and mercy. We pray this in your Son's name, Amen.