The day we began our stay in Antwerp was Ascension Day in Belgium. Many venues were closed. During our first walkabout in the historic part of Antwerp we went into the beautiful Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady. This day we just got to look from the back as services were in progress. We returned our last day and had a closer look at the interior and the lovely artwork.
(More later in my third installment about our Belgium visit).
I picked up the handout (below) that was being given out with the order of service. I liked it as a lovely expression of a message of Christianity I could readily embrace. I invite you to read it.
(Click on the photo to enlarge)
What I get out of this message is that Christianity is more than just a matter of individual piety where the focus is a message of spiritual salvation for individuals but more a "social gospel" calling for stewardship toward the natural order, living our lives on modest ways and caring for each other, beginning with the poor. To take this gospel seriously places great demands on us as individuals and as communities. We are falling far short of what is required of us.
Here is a video tour of the inside of the Cathedral. It, of course, does not do it justice as a exquisite sacred space.
Here is a video tour of the inside of the Cathedral. It, of course, does not do it justice as a exquisite sacred space.
If you would like to hear some of Bach played on the organ in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp go here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZQ--KHn21A&feature=related.
One can only imagine how wonderful sitting in the church and listening to this would be.
