Crossing Lines

It has been an interesting, enjoyable loooong weekend! And we (including Butch) are glad to be back home.

I have been much in thought since the wedding concerning the crossing of denominational lines. We have come to a point in our society where the necessity of Christians upholding and supporting each other has become imminent. This is not the first thought I've given to this subject. It has been plaguing my mind for quite some time. But the wedding we attended brought it to the forefront again.

Our friends. Good old country Baptists. Born again Christians. Their son married a beautiful girl who was raised in the Catholic church. Her parents, extended family, friends....all Catholic. And, regardless of religion or denomination, you know the procedure in weddings. The bride's family and friends on one side; the groom's family and friends on the other side.

The priest who performed the ceremony was Nigerian and at first, was difficult to understand. But not long into the ceremony, he walked to the edge of the raised stage (for lack of a better word) and announced to everyone that he felt a lot of tension in that sanctuary of God! He said that when prayers were uplifted to God he wanted to hear some AMENS from the families. He wanted God to be worshipped in the union of these two young people!

It was quite an impressive ceremony! Which conjured up more thoughts.

In 1959 my husband accepted his first teaching job in a Catholic community. We were the only protestants in the whole community. In the 3 years that we were there, we learned more about ministry outside of a faith than we had experienced to that time. The people of that community took us under their wing and loved us, fed us, doctored us, baby sat with our new baby, and fellowshipped with us. Sister Mary Josephine was the High School Principal and she loved hubs and he loved her. Even after we had moved to another school district, he became ill and those loving Catholics had mass for him.

In thinking about it, the Catholic religion has been very near to us for many years. We have had family members intermarry and have shown great Christian commitment. Our youngest daughter and her husband, who are Baptists, have chosen to practice Lent each year. I, myself, have started doing this. I like the idea of sacrificing something I love, whatever the insignificance to others.

On Christmas Eve, each year, the two young children of this same daughter open their first gift...which is a Baby Jesus from a Nativity scene. They place the Baby Jesus in His manger at that time.

Just recently, there was a death of a two year old boy in our community. His father had been raised a Catholic and the mother a Protestant. Before he became so gravely ill, Mom and Dad were attending our church. At the death of Mason, his funeral was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with our Baptist minister officiating.

Does anyone see a trend?

This post has concentrated on the Catholic Religion but I've seen movement between all the denominations of our community. I hope I'm not imagining the whole thing because it's what I want. But I've seen the 'linking of arms' of different churches through Children's programs, Thanksgiving services, Bible Studies and fellowship of believers; through deaths, births, and marriages.

I have been so encouraged by our pastor who I believe has some of the same feelings that have befallen me.

Please read what he has to say about the subject:
http://asojournerbyfaith.blogspot.com/2007/11/allies-in-united-front.html#links