We all watched on TV while the sacred Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned on Monday. It was heartbreaking to see such an iconic building, full of art and religious relics, filled with flames. We all held our breath wondering if anything could survive it.
Now that the fire has been put out and the experts have gone in, we can see pictures of the inside that are really quite extraordinary. The fire started up in the roof area, which was the largest wooden part of the cathedral. The walls, and floors, are stone. So, the roof and the beautiful forest of wood above came crashing down, and rained ash over everything. Amid the black soot and all those fallen pieces the large Altar cross still stood, undisturbed, and shining! Wow! The symbolism is profound!
Sometimes earthly things happen, and it seems devastating. Life can be sooty, dirty, and scary. Bad events happen and we can feel like there is a black cloud above us, dropping pain and hurt everywhere. But, put your eyes forward – and look to the cross. It’s right there in front of you.
The Notre Dame fire happened the day after Palm Sunday. The Bible tells us that Jesus rode in to the city on Palm Sunday and was loved and honored by the crowd there. The people shouted Alleluia and waved palm branches!! But, it was the start of “Passion Week” – the last week of Jesus before his crucification, and then his resurrection. After the celebration on Sunday, the people quickly turned – and doubted – and darkness came as the week went along. Within just days humanity showed it’s worse, leading to denying him, and giving him over to authorities, and then standing by, watching, while Jesus died on the cross.
The people there had no idea what would happen on the third day. But, we do! We know that the cross was the way to everlasting life, given to us all by God’s love and grace. So, we get to look at the cross differently.
I think of that bright and shiny cross in the midst of the destruction at Notre Dame and I can’t help but think… this IS Easter!
Did God cause the fire? No. Why didn’t He stop it? Because we live in a fallen world, where bad things happen. Flames and black smoke – pain and heartache. But in the middle of it all, straight ahead is our hope and savior.
This was a big AHA moment for me!
Marla’s Musings 