The Altar Should Have Been Thicker

The Altar Should Have Been Thicker

   In 2005 we went through a year of construction at Our Mother of Confidence, as our Parish’s Sanctuary space was renovated.  It was completed by Christmas that year, and the result was a beautiful blessed worship space.

   A couple of weeks later I was sitting in a front pew with a man as we observed and enjoyed this renovated space.  He commented, “I think the Altar should have been thicker.”

   My reaction was “What!  What are you talking about?”

   He said, “Do you see under the Altar, there are slats of wood that run sideways and front to back.  If the Altar was thicker you couldn’t see them.”

   I strained to look under the Altar and saw what he was looking at.  I also realized that there are very few places in Church where these slats are noticeable.  Then I began to reflect on his comment, and started to understand that when I focus on those slats under the Altar then I lose focus with what is happening on top of the Altar.

   But as I catch myself getting distracted, it is an opportunity to get re-focused.  And God does allow and encourages U-Turns.  Sometimes we do stray and get disconnected from God and God’s family.  But that is certainly not what God wants, and most definitely not what God wants to continue happening.

   Prayer, Reconciliation, our Eucharistic celebration (Mass), faith support groups and the Word of God all help us get and stay reconnected in our relationship with God.  We all need strength, support and encouragement that unites and builds community.  We are more alive in the ways we connect together.

   Stay focused, get re-focused; and encourage others to do the same!