St. Joseph Basilica - San Jose Masterpiece

I just uncovered a jewel of San Jose, California.
One hundred or so of us were in town for a business meeting. We stayed right downtown on the square.
For two days we had meetings in a very nice Technology Museum complex, complete with IMAX theater.
There was also an Art Museum next to our hotel property, and I think people had a few meetings there this morning as well.
When the driver first delivered us from the airport on Monday, I could see a large, white rotunda about one block over. "What's that?" I asked.
"I think its part of the art museum," he said.
Hmm..looked like there were crosses at the top, but I couldn't be sure from that angle.
"Oh yeah, that's right," he said, 'it's some church." Ok.
A Google search from my room quickly revealed that the "church" was a basilica - a particularly special cathedral, first built in the 1700's..
Of all the things we did during our two day gathering - lunches in the Tech Museum, dinner at the winery on the mountain. Of everything I read in the hotel literature about nightlife, restaurants and local attractions. Nobody ever said, "...and make sure you don't miss the basilica."
We had people in our group visiting from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sure, they've all got their centuries old Spiritual structures. But wouldn't someone encourage you to visit Notre Dame, Westminster Abby, The Blue Mosque or the Taj Mahal if you happened to be one block over on the square?

With our meetings over and my ride to the airport still 90 minutes away, I walked into the basilica for the 7:30 a.m. service this morning.
About 20 other people joined me under that huge dome I'd seen on Monday. It was no IMAX. No cushioned chairs, HD video or surround sound. Just an octagonal, wood altar. Huge, hand painted murals. Poignantly crafted sculptures. Gold leaf edging. Inspiration and revelation.
And we offered up - in unison, from memory - we twenty strangers spread out under all this priceless, God-glorifying art - prayers that had been first conceived 1700 years ago. Not from the 1700's, when this church was built. From the fourth century and earlier.
"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory. Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest!"
Three simple objects on a minimalist, flat altar with no digital augmentation. Bread, wine and the Bible.
"I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed."
Humble words first spoken by the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his slave. And we repeated them, we, once slaves to sin.

I really enjoyed our business meeting - the fellowship of my friends and sharing new ideas. But nothing I've done in business these past 30 years even compares to the power of 30 minutes in the presence of God at St. Joseph's basilica in San Jose. That 'church' on the other side of the art museum, just off the square. Tell your friends.

What do you believe?

New Wheel Alignment

I took my car into the shop for a much needed wheel alignment. If I took my hands off the steering wheel, it would quickly drift out of my interstate lane. As long as my hands were on the wheel I could hold the car steady, but it was a surprisingly strong tug to the side. It had not started that way. At first, It would drift slowly enough that I had time to respond. I could reach for my coffee or fiddle with the radio. But as the alignment got worse, I really had to watch it. I could quickly endanger myself, or anyone driving in the lanes beside me.

That's how Spiritual matters go for me sometimes. At first I'm going through a time where I'm in daily or hourly contact with God. Praising Him, praying to Him, interceding for friends family. Reading a little scripture before work, bible study with the guys on Tuesday morning.

But then I start drifting a little. It's not like I immediately swerve off the road. But I miss a church service on Sunday because I'm on vacation. Then I sleep in and miss bible study, or start late at work and can't read the daily devotional. Then instead of praying on my way home, I listen to a news podcast or music.

In just a few days, or weeks, I'm not staying in the centerline. Pride starts to creep in, impatience or jealousy flare up. It starts affecting the people in the lanes next to me, too. I'm not praying effectively for friends who asked, or encouraging my family's Spiritual activity. I inevitably find myself worrying about matters that rightly belong in God's worthy hands. Which takes even more of my attention off the Spiritual matters God has entrusted to me.

That's when it's time for an alignment! Getting right with God to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I've neglected proper upkeep and maintenance of His gifts. Ready for Holy Spirit adjustment. It's surprising how fast He takes care of it - no appointment necessary, and no charge. I wish it would last forever, but I must be driving a lemon...

What do you believe?