Entrad por Sus puertas con acción de gracias, Por Sus atrios con alabanza

Psalms 100:4

The verse that sums up what I thinking while in this place of worship.

Sevilla is proud to be the home of La Catedral de Santa María de la Sede.

Originally, construction of the cathedral began in the 1400s.  It's the largest Gothic church, and third largest church in the world.  Christopher Columbus is buried beneath the floor.  La Giralda, a huge bell tower with 25 bells, has been standing long before the sanctuary, and it was originally designed to mirror the Koutoubia Mosque in Morrocco.  It fits right in with the grandeur.  And as for the sanctuary, people have this saying as the motivation behind its construction: "Hagamos una Iglesia tan hermosa y tan grandiosa que los que la vieren labrada nos tengan por locos."

Let us build a church so beautiful and grand that those that see it finished will think we are mad.

I'm unsure about the madness part, but grand and beautiful?  Absolutely.

It's difficult for me to describe the sanctuary and surrounding rooms.  The initial sanctuary room is sectioned off like most cathedrals.  There are sections around the outside edges dedicated to Christ, Mary, or the saints.  There are grand windows to let in the light (a struggle for builders at the time).  Huge brass pipes for the organ are isolated in the middle of the great room, and on top, a chilling scene of angels (in their infancy) in heaven.

One of the amazing things to see is the huge wall of oro ("gold") that depicts the life of Christ from beginning, to the end, to the resurrection.  I do not have a picture of this.

Which brings me to another point.

I struggled with the idea of being a tourist and taking a picture of everything.  I'm walking through this enormous, beautiful cathedral, and I'm surrounded by people of all ages walking around with their iPhones taking pictures of (literally) everything.  There was such a focus on capturing this moment in pixels.

But to me, the cathedral was more than history.  It's an experience.  The grandeur and splendor was an attempt at a manifestation of God's glory.  (At least, I want to assume it is.)  As more churches move toward plain, boring sanctuaries, I am beginning to think we've lost or forgotten something. Isn't there something special in the concept of the holy sanctuary?

Yes, God isn't in the adorned walls.  He isn't in the stained glass.  He isn't in the sound of the 25 bells that chime on Sunday mornings.

But, having such a place to remind us of how great and big and awesome and powerful our God truly is, isn't a bad thing at all.

If you want a new way to experience God, visit a cathedral. And if you have time, come visit Sevilla's.