[Monday's Devotional] - St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica As I write this, our family has just come back from 3 glorious days in Rome.  Apart from the crowds (Easter Weekend!) the queues, the street vendors and the constant pleading from my children for more Ice cream…it was a wonderful sunny 3 days of soaking up the culture and artefacts of Rome. As we were on a tight schedule, we planned the trip to avoid major events that would mean fighting with crowds.  Our first stop once we had dropped off our bags was St Peters Basilica. The largest Church in the world. Lucie and I have been to Rome twice before, but this was our first time as a family.  We couldn't get into the Basilica due to a Maundy Service, but the square outside was pretty empty and the children enjoyed the peace. I'm always fascinated by churches.  St Peter's is extravagant to the very excess.  Painted ceilings, multi-million pound artworks, gold leaf everywhere and architecture that just simply blows you away. Every time I visit these types of church I'm astonished at how much money has been spent and needs to be spent on the building and the upkeep. What would Jesus say: Every time I walk into a huge building dedicated to God, I am reminded of a sermon I once preached on the idea of Jesus tuning up with his 12 followers and trying to get into one of his own churches? I'm convinced (in my own head anyway) that he wouldn't be on a donkey, but maybe running around on a Vespa.  What would be the reaction of the Church elders if he drove into the Square, took of his helmet and walked up to the church steps in leather jacket and sunglasses? Would I let him in?  Would you?  Scruffy looking, dirty, tired, looking for food and shelter in his Father's name! I like to think I would, I like to think I would not go with the crowd and I would let him in. Then the following passage drifts into my head. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  Mark 13-35 [NIV] A warning perhaps, to invite all who come to our doors - regardless of gender, economic privilege, sexual orientation or just if you look scruffy or not, because as Jesus also reminds us: The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  Matthew 25-40 [NIV] Steve Fogo   Twitter Website Copyright © 2017 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!