APRIL 16, 2019 – I’m not a Catholic. I’m not even religious. I don’t live in Paris—or even in France or Europe. But because I am part of humanity, yesterday’s devastating fire crushed my heart.
I learned of the tragedy while I was standing in a checkout line at Target a few blocks from my office. My wife happened to call me at the moment I first saw the horrific photos and news report on my phone screen. I don’t think I’ll ever forget where I stood, what I was doing when I saw and heard the news.
Maybe I’d be less affected if I hadn’t seen the famous landmark several times or our younger son hadn’t lived in Paris for three years or his fiancé hadn’t lived there for enough years to be called a Parisian or if I hadn’t read Victor Hugo’s classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, one of my all time favorite novels. But I have enough awareness of culture and history to think that the fire would have plunged me into deep sorrow no matter what.
At the end of my work day I made my way glumly through the skyway from my office building to my bus stop. En route I ran into a Muslim friend/client of mine who is originally from India but a long-time American and resident of Minnesota. I stopped to talk and mentioned the terrible fire raging in Paris. My friend reacted with profound shock. His reaction was every bit as sorrowful as mine.
The tragedy comes as Christians prepare to celebrate the Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, and Resurrection—together culminating in humanity’s redemption, as the Believers believe. Maybe this juxtaposition of the Easter Story with yesterday’s fire can give all of humanity hope—regardless of Faith. First comes the painful cry of Jesus, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Likewise came yesterday’s cri de coeur de Notre-Dame. But then comes the Christians’ Easter message of resurrection and redemption. In parallel, on this morning after “Our Lady’s heartfelt cry,” we learn that though she lies in grave, smoldering condition, she still breathes and her heart still beats. With her towers, façade and walls intact, some of her most valuable statuary and collections—and her 8,000-pipe organ!—saved, she will live. How can she not survive and be restored, having welcomed from all around the world, 13 million visitors a year?
If you are a doubting Thomas, just go to Reims, north of Paris. There stands another grand Gothic cathedral, one blown nearly to bits by merciless bombardment during WW I. Brought back from her brush with death (she herself had replaced an even earlier cathedral that had been consumed by fire in the 13th century), Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims is an example of humanity’s resilience.
Humanity will save Notre-Dame de Paris too, because she is and always will be part of humanity.
Vive Notre-Dame! Vive L’Humanité!
© 2019 Eric Nilsson
