Est Flebile

Once large and impressive cathedrals were built by the strong hands of many skilled workers. Designers conspired and workers built to provide the people a place to worship and to construct a structure that was worthy of the God they worshipped. Glasscutters constructed magnificent stained glass windows and the steeples of the buildings reached to the heavens above. Artwork was constructed and painted by some of the best artists the world has ever known. They poured their lives and skill into their work to bring honor to God.

Within the halls of these great cathedrals once rang the beautiful music of Latin song and chants, sung for the honor and glory of God above. The music was crafted for its needed skill in singing, often a capella. It echoed in the massive stone halls with a perfect pitch and strong sound, penetrating every dark corner. The feeling it left was comforting, relaxing, and reflective. Those singers sang out of thankfulness to God for such a salvation... not in seeking it.

What has become of you, o church of the Old World? You have taken the usefulness of tradition and built an empire upon it. Power and prestige have stolen your love for God and your ability to know Him. You look to yourself for your salvation, thinking in cleverness and piety you may pass an infinite abyss in your reach for Heaven. You raise Mary and the saints as equals with God, when there is yet one God. The cathedrals are nought but a shadow and reflection of their former glory. Was this what the Apostles taught when this church was established?

There is much of the Catholic church that is beautiful and awe inspiring. But it is a sad reflection of what once was. I think on the words and teaching of such as Martin Luther and wonder at the necessity of it. How did a church, once founded by Paul and Peter and John and so many Godly men, turn so far from the teaching of the very Bible they claim to treasure? But it is no different than the Pharisees of Jesus' day that had descended from the days of Moses. Tradition becomes greater than the Word of God. Saints stand as equals to Jesus. Working our way for salvation. All heresy to the writings of the Bible and the teachings of Apostles who founded the churches that spread throughout Europe.

Obviously much of the beauty was created while the church was steeped in this tradition, and I am well over a thousand years late in my observations of this. But it is truly a shame to consider and sobering to look at, as the beauty is a reminder of what once was, and a reminder of what could be for the rest of the Christian church. Let those cathedrals never fall, and always stand as a reminder to us... and a warning.