How do we behave when we are inside our church?
A Thought
Jesus goes to the Temple in Jerusalem for Passover. There he found men selling oxen, sheep and doves to the Jews who bought them for sacrificial offerings. He overturned the tables of the money changers and drove away the animals from the Temple saying “Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise”. What makes this story so challenging is that in it, we are confronted with a very angry Jesus. This is not the way we want to se or imagine Jesus but he is doing the work of His Father and we can certainly state that God’s desire to keep His Temple pure and Holy has not changed – and will never change. So Jesus cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem and it should make one ponder if Jesus find his Temple inside of me a worthy place? Are there things in my life that need to be driven out? What can I do to be cleansed?
But this is also a communal question. How do we behave when we are inside our church? Do we remember that the church is our sacred place of worship. Thus, we must observe proper discipline when we are inside or within its vicinity. Are we mindful of those who sits quietly in prayer until the liturgy begins setting a tone of piety and with reverence.
A Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray that we who are called your children will truly grow in gentleness – that we will display a gentle spirit when interacting with family, friends, fellow believers, co-workers and the world. We desire to live lives that display to the world what it’s like to be a Christian that we might be effective witnesses to your love, but so often we fall short. We lose patience, focus exclusively on ourselves and our needs, and are often anything but gentle in our dealings with others. As a result, we show a very fractured likeness of Jesus. Forgive us, Lord. In a world where relationships so often seem devoid of a gentle spirit, help us to reflect a Christ-like gentleness as your servant St. Leo did so that we may bring honor and glory to your name. Amen
Music
Count Your Blessings – Irish Choir
Ira Sankey made this hymn very popular over a 100 years ago. The truth still resounds with Christians who know and love the Lord Jesus. He is the source of every blessing we have. He is the Creator, and Saviour and sustainer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuDg4JELjHA