The divide

 "Choose this day"....

(Based on actual events)

The man stood between the two buildings.

On his left was a high street pub. Aside from a notice for an app to order online, the welcome signs made it clear that the place was doing everything it could to receive customers with the level of hospitality resumed that had been customary before the 'troubles' had come. It brought a moment of levity to him on this wet morning - something stamped down fast by where his eyes turned next.

On his right was a bank. The first glance was of the demanding poster - 'masks must be worn at all times'. No 'freedom day' here, but a confirming of the order made on that same day in the next poster - a scan card for your NHS app - only those doing what it required would be allowed access. The yellow bars on the pavement remained to 'remind' you that social distancing was also imperative, and the sanitisation stand was prominently in evidence, next to the 'assistant' to confirm full compliance with the rules before any entry.

Two worlds, he thought. Sadly, the one he'd first glanced appeared to be the one that was quickly passing away.

He turned to notice the church across the street. A moment of curiosity took him forward - 'I wonder which of these two realms I'll find there', he mused, as he crossed the road to find out.

"WELCOME" said the sign outside, in bright, friendly letters - no troubling posters like those on the window of the bank - 'a promising start', he thought, heading for the entrance.

About to cross the threshold, his heart sank.

The scan card, the sanitiser, the 'receptionist' in a mask... all present and correct.

Disheartened, he took a final look at the notice board -

'join us on line, or book your visit with us', said the official notice.

'Following the bank then, and not the pub', he thought as he moped back into the rain.

'The just shall live by rules'...

Postscript.

So much of church has become transactional instead of worshipful. Don't get me wrong - I love liturgy in word and sacrament that points us to the fact that the 'great transaction's' done, so confession and absolution are vital and true, but that cornerstone should then open the way for joyful, whole-person praise and adoration of the Father of all things and His redeemer. Rivers of living water should be flowing out from the Christian community to parch the thirsts of the weary and heavy laden - an infectious joy should be our telling nature.

I was delighted to hear today about the new 1517 music medium to aid us in such a life. Christian music should be genuinely true, poignant and challenging, as well as edifying - here's a classic example of how our faith can furnish just such apt commentary on a moment that still echoes around the world decades later.