Monday, March 23, 2009

Cheerless church

We decided to stay home this afternoon and relax – a change from what has become the usual Sundays! I was feeling gloomy about the mess the house had gotten into so went to lie on the bed, expressing to Nick my earnest desire that I could wave a magic wand…you know, every housewife’s wish. It wasn’t long before I heard the magic wand hard at work…in no time at all Nick had cleaned the bathrooms, finished washing the dishes (and even dried the pots as there was no space for them to airdry), tidied the lounge, diningroom and kitchen, and vacuumed. Wow!!! My love tank is full.

This morning the boys were involved in what is called a church parade, in which the Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides participate by marching down the road and then attending St James Anglican Church in town. The church is high Anglican and left me feeling that the devil has done a good job of blinding the congregants to the true message of the gospel. The service came complete with incense, pomp and splendour; lovely pipe organ accompaniment to “Hail Mary”, and various other hymns dedicated to the worship of the blessed, spotless eternal virgin Mother; the admittance of councillors and wardens which took the place of preaching; the mass at which the bread and wine were transubstantiated into the actual body and blood of Christ at the ringing of the bell (amazing); salvation and a blessing to all who partook of the Mass. I had to stop the boys from following the sheep to the front of the church to receive mass – Caleb was already in the line but I caught Aaron as he was about to go, and quickly explained in two sentences why it was so radically unscriptural, so he quickly went to call Caleb back. The Father set our minds at rest by assuring us that in order to save time, he would not be preaching. How’s that for getting your priorities straight? Seems like there are less important things which should be first to get knocked off the order of service. What saddens me the most is that those attending the service have now ‘done church’; many feel that this is enough to grant admittance into heaven. They are not encouraged to search the scriptures, to earnestly work out their salvation which has followed repentance, forgiveness and a changed heart. This is simply empty religion which benefits them nothing. It’s meringues and soda pop instead of milk and roast beef. It was interesting to hear the boys’ comments afterwards. Aaron noted with disgust that they worship Mary, and both boys were emphatic that they did not want to go on another church parade and sit through the boring service. I am so glad. On the up side, today is the UK Mothering Sunday, so all the moms were given small posies of flowers during the church service. The flowers were blessed with prayer and incense.
And the boys continue to exhibit their masculine genes…this time by jumping off the roof of Sappho’s garage. Yes, they will continue to be boys.

No comments: