The Empty Pew

What is the most memorable image in a Catholic church? We see the exterior of the church, we walk up to the door, and we reach out for the handle. The door handle could be wood or metal. The door itself could be light or heavy. If the door opens, then we are able to walk into the church and take our first steps into the house of God. Those few steps could echo against marble or could be muffled by the carpet. The aroma in the church could arise from the furniture or have traces of incense. The artwork and design can be seen by the paintings and architecture. The sounds could be silence or quiet shuffling throughout the church. Regardless of these tiny details, we eventually arrive at the pew.

              The pew is what stands out to me the most. What books are there? Is the kneeler pure wood or is there a merciful cushion? Is the pew itself wood or carpet? Can any children drawings be found in the pew? Is the pew worn down due to frequent use or old age? Will there be a shriek as the wood bends or will they hold strong and true? In my devout moments, a good pew places me next to Martha and Mary as they spend leisure time with Jesus. There are various designs of pews, but what stands out the most is not what is there, but what is not there; rather, who is not there.

              The empty pew is a common feature in this day of The New Evangelization. As a frequent mass goer, I appreciate seeing fellow worshippers of God. Yet, the pew I sit in is often empty except for myself. The emptiness is prominent, because it wasn’t always empty. My family drifted away from the faith and I remained. I’ve met others to sit in the pew next to me, but my heart aches for those family members to return.

Every empty pew is a petition for a soul to be saved.

              The new evangelization is meant to bring back those who have fallen away. Those who claim the title of Catholic all of their lives without taking ownership of the title. The empty pew is representative of how the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church wants to give grace and mercy to God’s people, but God’s people are simply not asking for it. The New Evangelization is meant to inspire a renewed interest in the kingdom of God. All of the tiny details found in the church, from the front door to the pew and to the altar, combine to form a personal and intimate relationship with God. Whether or not the intimacy is felt depends on the individual.

Every empty pew is a petition for a soul to be saved. We want people to be going to mass in droves. The only way that can happen is if people encounter the living Christ who is filed with Love and Mercy. The beautiful thing about our God is that He is found in the whisper of the wind. He is beckoning people to come to Him. The New Evangelization is about listening for that whisper in the culture we live in and inviting others to listen as well. God willing, people will understand it is in the pew that they can find truth, beauty, and goodness in its fullness through Christ our Lord.