Recently I went to Mass in my churches basement which doubles as a church museum. We'd been holding it there this summer not only due to the fact that it's cooler down there but weekday attendance is a bit low.
On that particular day on of my fellow parishioners who hasn't been to Mass very often gave his reason why.
He doesn't like to attend Mass in the basement even if it doubles as a museum. His arguments made sense.
He said that the main chapel upstairs was far more beautiful. With the stained glass, beautiful artwork, stations of The Cross, statues of the patron saints, the Crucifix, and the tabernacle which holds the host of the Eucharist.
To be honest I don't blame him. Having something beautiful to look at while pondering the things of God and his kingdom can be nice.
Certainly change can be hard. Whether it's moving from a beautiful chapel to a basement or moving from one city to another things change.
New city means new neighbors. Now think of this, Moving from a large beautiful chapel to a small basement chapel can be similar.
While upstairs the few people that attend are spread out quite a bit. Downstairs the setting is more intimate.
I know that our pastor likes to see us as a close knit community in front of him while we celebrate Mass.
I see his point. As a lector and someone who once saw myself desiring the role of Pastor/ Priest I know I would prefer to see more people at Mass.
Just before Mass began I prayed for my fellow Christian. I prayed that God would ease his soul and help him to see the bigger picture.
Some people would be lucky to have the option to worship in the first place. But there is a far more obvious piece when it comes to going to a place of worship. The most important part of worship is the one we are going to celebrate. For Christians that person is Jesus Christ.
It's true that God is everywhere. No matter if you worship in a grand basilica, a basement, or in the privacy of your own home God is there.
It also shouldn't matter if you are worshiping with hundreds, a dozen, or in solitude God is there. He appreciates out honest attention. He honors our prayers. And his presence can be felt if we just quiet ourselves an await his glorious arrival into our hearts and souls.
