Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

Thus go the glories of this world.  Like millions around the world yesterday, I saw pictures and watched video of Notre Dame burning.  Most poignant to me was seeing the flaming spire of the great cathedral pitch over, then collapse.  The loss is huge, and already commentary about how this is symbolic of something larger, something disturbing are circulating.  But a day later we know that the fire, as awful as it was, was not as bad as it could have been.  The bell towers and shell of the cathedral remain.  So does the great rose window, the organ, the crown of thorns and other relics.  Much has been lost, but much remains.
I've had the privilege of visiting Notre Dame.  What stuck with me was how big and how empty the place was.  It was a monument to a previous age, and it's rather sad that it's only when a church is consumed by fire that people notice it.  How many will go to services this week?  How many will reflect on the faith that was discovered or strengthened or tested there?  The government of France owns the cathedral these days.  What does that say to us?  Billionaires are pledging money to rebuild.  Great.  But.  How will it be rebuilt?  A replica of what was lost?  Or will someone like Norman Foster get it in his head that something modern should inserted into the Gothic frame? I hope not.
Thus go the glories of this world. In time, all will turn to dust.  The burning of Notre Dame, apparently the result of an accident, is a reminder, one that is timely during Holy Week.  I'm sure that it will inspire many sermons this week.  But I'm left with this thougth:  All we buy, all we store up will be lost.   But Jesus Christ will is eternal.  Despite the awful pain, the horrific death he suffered, love triumphed over hate, life over death.  And that was symbolized by the cross that remains in the church's apse, amidst the smoke-stained ruins.
Hope endures.

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