the rix mix

Thinking of dropping by Immaculate Conception Church this afternoon, I'll be by that way later. This is not some sudden conversion experience. I often have an urge to sit in a church for awhile. The UMC a few blocks away has an 11 am Sunday service & small congregation, & it's impossible to slip in & out of a protestant church like that even if I could pull myself together on a Sunday morning to go. A guest would be the event of the day. The Russian Orthodox Church around the corner is beautiful, dim & inviting on late afternoons when the old priest leaves the doors open & the icon wall at the front is faintly in view. He wouldn't mind me sitting inside for awhile. But I'm usually headed to or from the supermarket. Don't need to wait for a Mass. Catholic Churches are open when they're open, & the attitude is that you have your own reasons for being there. A Catholic may just be stopping by to light a candle, say a prayer, & meditate for a few minutes. Larger historical Catholic churches are interesting because some people are quietly walking around enjoying the art & ambience while others are actively engaged in a spiritual practice; there might be a Mass or novena.

Labels: religion