The fire broke my heart, despite being Protestant my whole life. It is. not about religious faith, but rather, the lines of the Cathedral swoop upwards towards thoughts of God. The Gothic Cathedrals of Europe were located in areas where no other buildings were more than one story. Thus, the Cathedrals dominated the surrounding landscape, a symbol of the glory of God
I studied Gothic and Gothic Revival as part of my undergrad degree. My prof said it didn't matter whether I thought the cathedrals represented God or not. It mattered that for all those centuries, people in their mundane peasant lives were lifted up, having been confronted with the glory and grandeur of buildings dedicated to God.
I am not one who believes God is in the building. God dwells in his people. But, I am literate. I can read the Bible, communicate in the internet, and read sermons online. The medieval peasants had none of those advantages. The church, the art, architecture, music, was what they had to focus upward to God.
Yesterday, the iconic Cathedral de Notre Dame was horribly burned. More than just Catholics, Christians, also unbelievers were grieved to see this beautiful church almost ruined.
It was a symbol of God, for people 850 years ago, up to today. It survived the French Revolution, Napoleon, two World Wars, and served as a centre of culture in France. Jesus will, of course return in his time, regardless of whether the Cathedral is rebuilt of not! But for me, wanting to see the Cathedral was a bucket list item! I will never get to see the Cathedral my grandmother visited who was born and lived in France. I'm so glad I can look to Jesus, instead of a Cathedral dedicated to God. But, my human side weeps that I will never see this masterpiece dedicated to the glory of God, on this side of the grave.