Wednesday, March 10

I have to remind myself frequently that our church building is getting older. When 2024 arrives, our church building will turn 70 years old. Because the architecture is midcentury modern, I often fail to realize how much time has passed from when the building was consecrated. The congregation itself is over 100 years old, and the current building is the second structure for worship.

It is amazing that some aspects of the building have lasted so long and so well. For instance, the doors and windows are the originals, as is the flooring throughout the church. These items have had a good shelf life, and it is obvious to me that the original planners chose quality products. Nevertheless, every building is a work in progress. There are always improvements that need to be done and challenges that need addressing.

This is true for us too, the people of God. During Lent we study our lives acutely with the aim of deepening our faith in Jesus Christ. Each one of us is a work in progress. As the church building is a house of God, each one of us is to point to God, and that requires a lot of tweaking and adjusting and renovating throughout life.

Since December multiple capital improvements have been happening at the church. The exterior of the parish hall and the church has been painted, the interior of the church has been plastered, the choir loft is currently being renovated, and next week the painting of the church’s interior commences. It is a lot of “holy commotion” at times, especially considering that so much is already upended due to the pandemic. Renovation work is never easy, but ultimately it bears fruit.

The same is true for our souls. No one enjoys picking and plucking the weeds out of one’s heart. No one enjoys tearing down walls of emotional hatred and bitterness. No one has fun addressing the change and decay of personal faith. For those who are brave enough to try such renovations of the soul, the rewards eventually arrive, for the pain and turmoil ultimately bring about faith and peace. Christ always comes with joy.

As each one of us continues to renovate our house of faith this Lent, we are also seeing the end of a pandemic on the horizon. Lent is never easy under regular circumstances. Lent during a pandemic comes with a unique set of challenges. Nevertheless, I am confident that once the renovations at the church finish prior to Easter, we will witness an old building becoming a new creation. The same will be true for our very lives when Easter arrives in three short weeks.

Father Paul Lillie +