Notre Dame, One Year Later

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On April 15, 2019, six days before Easter, I remember watching Notre Dame in Paris, France burn. My mom was visiting and her and I were glued to the TV. Paris has ALWAYS had a very, very special place in my heart and life. April 10, 2020 with seven people present, Notre Dame held an online Good Friday service. (FYI I am strictly talking about the cathedral and am by NO means advocating for the Catholic church!)
Three days post Easter Sunday, I cannot help but reflect. Last year people lamented the burning of said structure and how there would be no Holy Week services. On April 10, 2020 with seven people present, Notre Dame held an online Good Friday service in hazmat suits. It does not matter how beautiful, big, small, old, new, etc. nor how much money one has or is raising for the church building, if there is no one there to worship.

Since the church is the people and not the building, when there are no people in the building, it ceases to be the church. It is the Good News authentically preached and applied that makes the church, the bride of Christ beautiful. COVID-19 does not discriminate it is affecting all of us; keeping us behind locked doors.

COVID-19 has stalled the rebuilding efforts of Notre Dame; however, our Triune God does NOT nor has He stopped, stalled or slumbered building His Body, individually and corporately. The temple is no longer a place, it is a literal physical body. Dear reader, your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, keep glorifying God with your body (1 Cor 6:19-20). While church buildings in the time of COVID-19 are closed, you dear reader, as a believer in Jesus Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit are indeed a living representation of life in Christ to those who are hurting. While the church building may be closed, the Church Body is ALWAYS open.

A life changed by Christ is more beautiful than any gothic architecture style or rose window. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” (Isa 52:7; Rom 10:15 NIV).

Jesus lifts up our branches that are not producing fruit and He waters, tends and nourishes them. In this time of uncertainty, doubt, frustration, cling to the One who heals and restores. Cling to our Triune God whose mercies are new each morning.

As the world is rapidly changing before our eyes, remember God is with you, in you and through you. God is still open for business and He is interested in using you! Please do not allow yourself (nor do I want to allow myself) to become a dead lifeless building.

Father God, it amazes me how much life has changed. Thank You Jesus that You are the same yesterday, today and forever! Lord God, may Your fire refine us in this time of COVID-19 to be a people who live and act more like You. May we be a Body who is in the world, not of it. Lord God, thank You that You are still in the people using business. Now more than ever Lord, Your people need to come together in prayer and worship. Lord, I am thankful for technology. I am thankful that in this time of COVID-19 that we are still able to communicate with each other even if it is not in person. With that said Lord, may we not get too comfortable with these platforms that when we are able to meet again that we would rather stay online. Lord God, thank You that You resurrect, heal and restore our physical bodies, relationships, mindsets. Thank You that You have chosen to indwell us. May we be reminded today that You, our Triune God are in us, above us, around us and want to work through us. Thank You, Jesus for the opportunity and ability to pray in Your Name because of Your sacrifice and work on the Cross. Amen and Amen.

 

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

23 thoughts on “Notre Dame, One Year Later”

  1. How time flies; this is one year already, Mandy. True, our body is GOD’s temple and we honor GOD by not desecrating His temple whether substance abuse or other means. Thank you for reminding us. On a different, fantastical light, where did quasimodo hide all this time?

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  2. Excellent post, Mandy, and thanks for this reminder: “COVID-19 has stalled the rebuilding efforts of Notre Dame; however, our Triune God does NOT nor has He stopped, stalled or slumbered building His Body, individually and corporately.”

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  3. Pingback: Notre Dame, One Year Later — Blue Collar Theologian | Talmidimblogging

    1. Hi, Vincent! Thank you for the reblog. I just ordered “The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest” by John Walton. I am fascinated by herem; I was encouraged by your review on Amazon! May be we can discuss this sometime! I am thankful for you!! Blessings!!!

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  4. Thanks for sharing this, Mandy. I pray every day for God’s Spirit to be poured out over Europe, and because I want to be specific in my prayers (Otherwise, how will I know when they’re answered? 😉 ) I have been praying that IN MY LIFETIME we would see the great cathedrals of Europe filled, not with tourists, but with believers, worshiping/adoring the Lord. Covid19 has changed my vision of what this will look like. I used to picture people singing, dancing, rejoicing, celebrating. Now when I pray that prayer the picture that comes to mind is of people who are broken, repentant, and giving their lives to Him.

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  5. Mandy, its hard to believe it’s been a year since the Notre Dame conflagration. Thanks for making mention that you are not advocating for the Catholic church and its false gospel of sacramental grace and merit. I wrote the short post below on the day of the fire about the sad fact that the Gospel was never once preached within Notre Dame’s walls in the 800 years of its existence:
    https://excatholic4christ.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/notre-dame-in-paris-catches-fire/

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    1. Hey, Tom! Thank you for including this article! I do not agree disagree at all with what you said. What amazed me in the aftermath was the preservation of the Cross. I was praying for that image to stir people to seek the message of the Cross. Thank you, Tom for your time and comment!! I appreciate the work you do!! Blessings over you and your wife!!

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      1. Thanks, Mandy! We can only hope that some of the souls who attended Notre Dame over the centuries became exasperated with the religious legalism they were taught and placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior through faith alone. Thank you and blessings to you and yours as well! I really appreciate your uplifting, heartfelt prayer posts!

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      3. Thank you, Mandy. Her mom, my oldest daughter, has been away from the church for many years now. Unfortunately, that means my granddaughter isn’t under consistent teaching. It’s always bothered me. So, this is truly an answer to prayer. Thanks for celebrating with me.

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