Day 086i: Bowing to an excess of opulence … (July 09, 2019)
After a brief stopover in the city’s central library, I made my way smoothly across the accompanying courtyard into yet another open cathedral; wondering as I did so about the enormous amount of material wealth that has been invested the world over into building such spiritual citadels – wealth that could have easily erased most of the world’s poverty & hunger & homelessness (and thereby also most of the world’s crime & violence & war) …Was I thankful for the architectural splendor and spatial solace these refuges provided the public? Of course. And yet do I wish that they could have been built less lavishly, and their superficial opulence instead have been funneled to those in more true & dire need? Yes as well …
“Any true Christian must live and labor on Earth not for himself or his own wealth or benefit but rather for the peace & well-being of his or her neighbor. As such, the entire essence of our lives must be to do even that – nay, especially that – which he does not wish to do, but which is indeed beneficial &/or soothing for his neighbor. It almost goes without saying, then, that the church must develop and enliven the very same sort of humble & generous relationship with every member of its congregation.” ~ inspired by Martin Luther
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