For July 12th:

“For where two or three have gathered in My name, I am there with them.” 

Matthew 18:20

I love to travel. I enjoy learning about all the aspects of another culture that make it unique, such as the grand tourist attractions, historic sites, museums, architecture and landscapes; attempting to speak the local language, walk their streets, eat local fare, watch their sports, and even grocery shop in their market places. The more I travel, the more I realize how much we have in common rather than how different we are.

One of my great travel joys involves visiting local churches. One thing I have learned is that churches are best visited not as a tourist attraction, but as the architects and builders intended, as a worshiper.

While sitting in worship, one can fully experience the subtle details of the church interior and art that you might just rush past on a quick tour. You can be amazed at the history that has taken place in the very place you are worshipping, such as coronations, treaties, and even murder at Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo, in Florence. You can think of thousands of followers who worshipped before you, some famous and most unknown. You can appreciate the chapels built by wealthy families for their private worship and the communion of the masses in the pews of cathedrals. You can appreciate the sanctuary provided and inspiration preached through the generations. You can think of the craftsmen and artists who worked, some for their entire lifetimes, to build the building for the glory of God.

I have visited and worshipped in churches such as the Vatican, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Westminster Abbey, and Santa Maria and Trento in Italy. I have been surprised to find that I could pray along in English as the Lord’s Prayer was pronounced in Italian because the cadence is the same as in English.

Whether a small church or a magnificent cathedral, I am touched by the gathering of God’s people to worship Him. I love to feel the connection, regardless of local custom, to the God of all creation. I am grateful that wherever I might travel God is there with me and I am grateful that I can enjoy the fellowship with other Christians wherever two or three gathered in His name.

Jackie Caruso