"ubi Christus, ibi ecclesia."

"Where Christ is, there is the church."

-Ignatius of Antioch

I love this quote.  I would love to say that I found it while reading my daily dose of Ignatius.  But to be honest, I think it was on the bottom of a bottle cap, or the back of a devotional, or I heard it in a sermon somewhere.

I love this quote because I feel that it sets us free without letting us off the hook.  I have heard many people say over the years, "I don't have to go to church to be a good Christian.  I can read and study and pray on my own."  I agree, but I also always wonder, Do you?  I have met many people who have made this claim, but I have met few who actually DO  read the Bible, study, and pray on their own.  I think that's where Ignatius comes in.

Yes, because I believe that Christ is present outside the walls of the building, I believe that the church exists outside of the building that houses it.  In fact, I believe sometimes the church is at its best outside of those walls.

However, isn't some recognition of Christ's presence important?  What are we missing if we don't acknowledge it?

I wouldn't say that Christ isn't present with us unless we acknowledge it, but I will say that something is missing.  I think the opportunity to witness to one another. the opportunity to celebrate the sacredness of a particular moment might pass by us if we don't stop to acknowledge and give thanks for Christ's presence in our midst.

You'll soon hear more about why this is on my mind.