800 Words
Last weekend there were two religious events that caught my attention and caused me to reflect on the mystical diversity of the Spirit and the varying articulations of the Christian faith. The first occurred in France as Pope Leo XIV’s papal visit proved a major success, highlighting a potential Catholic revival and drawing vast crowds in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. The second transpired at the Blessed Hope Baptist Church and their annual Homecoming service.
I lived in Paris back in the 80’s and on two occasions experienced immense crowds on the Champs-Élysées. The first was in the summer of 1986 when Greg Lemond became the first American, and the first non-European male professional cyclist, to win the Tour de France. The crowd that Sunday afternoon was enormous as the cyclists rode up and around the Arc de Triomphe and sped away back down the iconic avenue for seven lengthy laps.
A year later, I had the good fortune of having a reserved seat near the Place de La Concorde for the Bastille Day parade and celebrations. Again, huge crowds on a gorgeous Parisan morning greeted President François Mitterrand and the legions of soldiers, military aircraft, tanks, and armored personnel carriers that made their way along the historic avenue celebrating French independence.
But nothing could compare to the massive crowds that greeted Pope Leo last week. He was welcomed like a rockstar by young people of France, as a respected world leader by European officials, and as a pastor by hundreds of thousands of French citizens. The Vatican reported that 800,000 people were on the Champs-Élysées as the Pope celebrated Mass.
The day before the Stade de France was packed with 80,000 screaming young people who sang, prayed and listened to the pontiff. Celine Dion was performing in Paris as well last weekend. The Holy Father outdrew the legendary pop singer by 45,000 people!
One cannot deny that something happened in France as the party-like atmosphere drew people of multiple faiths and no faith at all to participate. The fervor seemed to span generations. As the French newspaper Le Monde reported: “Pope Leo did this not just as a world leader, but as a pastor preaching the gospel of Jesus as articulated in Catholic social doctrine, where everyone is welcomed, where all are brothers and sisters, and where all are called to work for reconciliation, justice and peace.”
While all of that was taking place in France, my wife and I were invited to Homecoming at the Blessed Hope Baptist Church. In this Christian tradition, Homecoming is a cherished annual ritual that celebrates the faithfulness of God, the church’s history, and the bonds of fellowship among congregants. It serves as a time for spiritual renewal, reflection on the church’s mission, and recognition of both past and present members.
Blessed Hope Baptist seats about 90 congregants. What was notable was that a quarter of those in attendance were children and young people. The service opened with the rousing hymn: “Heaven’s Jubilee”.
Some glad morning, we shall see Jesus in the air,
coming after you and me, joy is ours to share;
what rejoicing there will be when the Saints shall rise,
headed for the jubilee, yonder in the skies.
Oh, what singing, oh, what shouting,
On that happy morning when we all shall rise:
Oh, what glory, Hallelujah!
When we meet our blessed Saviour in the skies.
A musical offering by the Heavenly Reflections followed. Their lead singer and guitarist was an 80+ year old gentleman with a soothing baritone voice, charismatic demeanor, and a passion for the Gospel. The combination of mandoline, guitar, bass, and human voices made for an uplifting proclamation of faith, joy, and looking towards the future with hope.
Pastor Travis Pierson, celebrating his fourteenth anniversary leading the congregation, offered a traditional understanding of the Christian faith that emphasized repentance and new life in Christ. Members responded to his words with encouraging confirmation and “Amen”. Here, as in Paris, one could sense a genuine moving of the Spirit.
In the Gospel of Mark, we read about the disciples being incensed that there was a man driving out demons in Jesus’ name. They were annoyed because “he was not one of us.”
Jesus set his disciples straight: “Do not stop him! For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” (Mark 9)
Even today, instead of rejoicing at what God is doing in our midst, Christians tend to speak disparagingly of various expressions of faith. Most often due to misinformation, arrogance, and prejudice. Christ was worshipped in Paris as well as in Kingsport, Tennessee. Lives were changed for the better. Love was experienced in ways known and unknown. Faith was established and renewed.
Two radically different articulations of the Christian faith? You bet. But these two models of faith give me hope for the future. Let us rejoice that the Spirit is alive and at work in the world around us.
