The One in All

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7: 24

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For a while, I've been curious about the Church of England (CofE) church which is practically next door to where I live.  I've even spoken to their priest and promised to visit sometime.

I finally kept my promise.

I received a warm welcome from the priest who formally introduced himself to me. I did the same. I was given a hymnal and booklet and I went to find a seat. After appraising the church, I thought it had a nice vibe to it.  Immediately, I had the thought, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."  Thank you, Lord!

When the service started, one priest came in with an incense pot.  I'm not a huge fan of incense smoke. As the service progressed, I noticed they mentioned the Virgin Mary. I thought this church was CofE? These rituals and prayers look and sound suspiciously like a Catholic church to me. However, I knew the Creed we recited, The Lord’s Prayer and three out of the four hymns we sang.

After the service finished, I spoke to the priest. I told him I was expecting the church to be CofE. He said it is, but they are High Church, which means they have a similar Liturgy as the Catholic. I asked him why they keep praying to Mary. He said it was rather like asking a friend to intercede on your behalf.  I told him, even though I'm not really into their rituals and liturgy, we all believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I promised to visit again. 

Later on, while I was in town, I decided to attend a service at St Paul's Cathedral. I sat next to this man who told me he and his wife were from a city outside of London and were on a day trip. I asked him if he'd been to the Cathedral before. He said it was their first time. I shared my High Church experience with him. He and his wife told me their church was the "lowest of the lows" which made me laugh. (I won't mention the church).

During the service, we had to keep getting up and down. At one point, I whispered to the man, "This is what happens when you attend a "High Church", you have to put up with all these getting up and down rituals." 😄

When the service ended, I said to him, "Same time next week?" He  shook his head and his wife burst out laughing. They said they'd rather stick with their "low" church.

Behind all the liturgy and rituals, the truth is in Christ we share the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God."  I'd rather focus on our shared relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. 

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me not to judge by appearance, but to judge with righteous judgment. ❤️

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Related Bible verses;

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4: 4-6

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." Colossians 2: 8-10

Here's a photo of the "High Church." 😊