Today I was in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria. I can't help but be awed by it's size and beauty. The details of the artwork on every corner is very impressive. The church was consecrated in 1147 and it is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna.
The people in the 12th Century really put much value in the construction of the churches. You could feel the level of excellence they put in the building of the cathedral. I observed that there are so many sculptures all over the church; in the ceiling, the walls, the pulpits, the posts, the doors and many more. After 900 years, this structure has survived wars and fires, and is continually nourishing its parishioners with the Eucharist and the other sacraments.
Reflecting on this, how excellent are we when it comes to our work and service? How much value are we putting into them? Are we building our work and service to last? What I learned from witnessing this marvelous church is that, if we put much value and excellence in what we do, our work will survive even beyond our own lifetime. Our desire is that whatever we started will continue for years to come. In the case of the St. Stephen Cathedreal, this excellent structure has lasted for 900 ye
ars already. In World War II, It was even saved from intentional destruction when a Captain Gerhard Klinkicht of the German forces disregarded orders from the city commandant, Sepp Dietrich, to "fire a hundred shells and leave it in just debris and ashes (wikipedia)." I think that the Captain couldn't take it upon himself to destroy such magnificent structure and place of worship. People will help preserve and protect work that is done with much excellence. Presently, the cathedral is undergoing some preservation work and cleaning up, so it can last for centuries to come.
There were so many tourists that went to see the Cathedral. They took pictures and many of them went to Mass as well. As for me, I didn't understand a word since it was in German. But despite that, I couldn't deny the holy presence of God within the walls of this hallowed Cathedral during mass. It was as if I was transported through time, imagining that 900 years ago, people went to Holy Mass, and shared in the Body of Christ just as I did today. A work that is built excellently will benefit not only the maker but hundreds and thousands other people who are touched of its beauty and purpose.
May we devote ourselves to work and service wherein we can build great value and excellence. If you are in a business, may you work with excellence so it may last for many years. If you are in the service of the Lord, may you shepherd people and communities excellently towards God for generations to come. "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:28)."
8 comments:
i love that church! so beautiful. and yes, just like u, i had no clue what they were saying but just know that it's catholic nonetheless so u can just follow it in your head. hehehe
Yeah it's beautiful and solemn inside, despite the many tourists. God bless El!
amazing! i really like this post Kirby. thanks for the reminder to do our best for God. you can see it in creation how excellent our maker is, art and science combined in an atom. since we are created in His image and likeness, we should reflect His excellence too. our work done well with God's grace lasts for generations to come...i was just thinking about it earlier while listening to the Beatles, their words, composition, playing of instruments were simply brilliant and we still enjoy them to this day. there is always that spark of the divine in what we do because God made us and when we do our best, we reflect Him and other people are blessed.
loved that cathedral.. the architecture, the size... amazing feeling when you're inside..
Well said marge. When we put our heart, mind, and soul in what we do, and not give up, we can create something beautiful. God bless you.
Yes Sky, it's pretty amazing. CFC choir sings there often too. God bless!
Amazing. I would want to visit this church too. Im just glad that it wasn't destroyed or something. Kay I've read somewhere na some churches sa Europe are being sold na kay wala na tigsimba and is being used na lang as museum and auction centers.
Well so far, the churches I've went to are full of tourists. Many parts of Europe are generally Catholic, like here in Vienna. Although ironically you'll see that the place is very secularized. Like the street ads or posters here have naked women on them. I was told that there's even a sex museum. I guess what we need is a "re-evangelization." The need is more of Christians living out their faith.
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