Image in the late afternoon May 30th sunlight: I pedal past the Catholic church and pass parishioners moving toward the doors in their modest and colorful summer clothing in time for the Saturday celebration of mass. Then I wonder: compared to the primitive Christians who met in one another's homes, having a big organization and prominent location makes for a different experience as leader and as follower.
Being in the margins and also subjected to persecution --first from orthodox temple Jews, and later from Roman occupiers-- perhaps limited the scope of ambitions and options for engaging the powers that be, and perhaps it caused believers to be ever vigilant and survival oriented. On the other hand, being at the center of what it means to be proper, respectable and surrounded by beauty, eternity, holy righteousness leads to a different experiential impression and the resulting worldview. Being part of the powerful things can be corrupting; can lead to some complacency and perhaps lead to confusion between the organization's glories and the message that Christiantiy carries.
How then to have the best of both: the hunger of the desperately seeking and the ease and generous heart of those who have arrived at some stability and ease?
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