jordanabina
Question, why do church bells keep ringing? Upon arriving in France a year ago, it became increasingly obvious how many old church cathedrals are in this beautiful country. I believe there are over 30,000 churches in the country and nearly 100 cathedrals, most of them not very full. If you’ve never been to Europe to see some of these extravagant facilities then it may be somewhat difficult to visualise just how breathtaking these ancient wonders are. But it may be less difficult to visualise an empty hall.
Now, there’s nothing new about church buildings being empty, but what is curious is I read that 85% of people visit a church building every year. Whether it be to attend a wedding, another type of ceremony, or just for tourism. That’s crazy to me. What’s the though process? This place was built by maniacs? I hope not.
A couple days ago I woke up to the sound of bells, church bells. My family and I are on vacation in Italy and we’ve been nickle and diming our way from Airbnb to cheap restaurant in hopes to see this historic and scenic country. This frugal adventure landed us on the top floor of a small apartment overlooking Genoa and it’s beautiful harbour.
Ring, Ring, Ring.
At 8am, the church bells were ringing. Not the first time I’ve ever heard church bells but for some reason it gripped me. The question that came to my mind was why do the church bells keep ringing? Is it working? What is it for? Who’s doing it, Quasimodo?
Why do the church bells keep ringing?
I thought it had to be more than telling people what time it was. Surely there aren’t people in there looking at their iphone waiting for the clock to strike 8am so they can ring the bells, right? That just seems like a weird, but funny, clash of old meets new. It kind of goes with the narrative though, there are some humorous pokes at religion in the city of Lucca, where our trip has currently led us. My favourite one so far being the t-shirt of a nun receiving the eucharist with a tongue ring.
Back to bells.
At some point in history churches began to ring the bells for a plethora of important reasons. One of the most important being the canonical times written into the churches fixed schedule of prayer. But now, in today’s world, does anyone know that? In the past they were also rung if an invading army was approaching, if the city was on fire, or another type of emergency. The church bells could’ve been considered the first fire alarm. I wonder if the had any curious junior high students to test those out.
But that morning as the last bell rang, resounding through the green shutters that guarded our apartment window, I wondered whether or not the church should keep ringing those bells. Should the church just let go of this old and forgotten schedule? I wonder how long it would take people to notice if they stopped ringing all together. Would people want them back?
I started to think that the church bells were a reminder, not just to people who aren’t religious, but to the church itself. A reminder to keep ringing the bells, not just in a building, but in my life. Sounds corny, I realise that, I also don’t care. The world is advancing around us, much like these old cathedrals are bring crowded by skyscrapers, bars and strip clubs. The secular world isn’t fazed by bells and probably take no notice of them at all, but that doesn’t mean they should stop ringing.
Why do church bells keep ringing?
I think they are ringing because that’s what they were made for. I hope there are people who are praying still and that those bells are a reminder that prayer is a daily gift we have. Maybe the bells have been the reminder that God is still present. Maybe the bells have done nothing but tell someone that it’s lunch time, and although that isn’t the purpose, it’s a wonder to me that people still hear church bells everyday in these old cities.
For me, I’m going to try and pray every time I hear those bells. Even if just for a moment, a breath prayer, a prayer that partners me with the heart of God for whatever city I’m in. Maybe there is something deeper about the church, in the midst of a digital age, continuing to ring those old bells on the hour. I don’t know what that might be, maybe you do, but it just feels like the right type of paradox. Telling the world of watches what time it is.
And what time is it? That’s a better question.
Not just on the clock, but in the scope of history, where are we and what is happening? The church especially needs to answer this question, and so do I.
For now, when the bells ring, I want to ring along with them. Somehow, someway, I want to be ring when I see invading armies and when I smell smoke. I want to announce celebrations and invite people to prayer.
This morning I sat and drank a café machiatto in front of Chiesa di San Michele in Foro which was built over a thousand years ago as a place for worship.
It’s still ringing it’s bells.
