Jerusalem and the Temple are the Mother Church of Judaism, they succor Israelites just as a mother does her child. Local Congregations had Synagogues, Jerusalem the only Temple. We build beautiful structures here on earth in which to worship to lift and renew our spirits but our home in the Kingdom of God is not on this earth, these buildings are but symbols of the heavenly kingdom.
The Psalm reminds us that it is meet and right to give God thanks and praise, communally and individually in prayer. Not only is it the right thing to do but it is good for us.
Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Sounds very much like the retributive justice of the Old Testament doesn't it. We are to support one another in the faith gently remonstrating with those who stray from the path being ever mindful that we keep watch on our own actions lest we stray as well and be an impediment to the community.
If nothing else today's Gospel serves to remind us that the twelve may have been Jesus' inner council but they were not his only followers. Even before the coming of the Holy Spirit these 70 are sent out 2 by 2 to witness and spread healing. They are given instructions as to how to proceed. They are to be Jesus' witnesses and to perform his work on earth. By implication this is our task as well.
I like to find a unifying force when I look at the lessons for a particular Sunday. What I find here is a discourse on the nature of Christian witness and service.
As Christians we like to build fine edifices honouring our God and while they serve as gathering places where we may meet to renew our spirits in communal worship God's work is not done within their walls but out in the community. It is good to renew our spirits by thanking and praising God always but we do so that we may go out and do God's work abroad with renewed vigor. As members of Christ's body, the church, here on earth we have a duty to support one another in the faith and admonish, gently, those who stray even as we may find ourselves in need of that admonition. It is not by coincidence that the 70 are sent out two by two so that they may support one another in the work they are to do. This principle was used before and has been since in many contexts. Finally, we are not to glory in our accomplishments or indeed the size of our church budgets, membership rolls, and attendance figures; nor in the good deeds we have done; but in the fact of our membership in the Kingdom of God.
The Psalm reminds us that it is meet and right to give God thanks and praise, communally and individually in prayer. Not only is it the right thing to do but it is good for us.
Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Sounds very much like the retributive justice of the Old Testament doesn't it. We are to support one another in the faith gently remonstrating with those who stray from the path being ever mindful that we keep watch on our own actions lest we stray as well and be an impediment to the community.
If nothing else today's Gospel serves to remind us that the twelve may have been Jesus' inner council but they were not his only followers. Even before the coming of the Holy Spirit these 70 are sent out 2 by 2 to witness and spread healing. They are given instructions as to how to proceed. They are to be Jesus' witnesses and to perform his work on earth. By implication this is our task as well.
I like to find a unifying force when I look at the lessons for a particular Sunday. What I find here is a discourse on the nature of Christian witness and service.
As Christians we like to build fine edifices honouring our God and while they serve as gathering places where we may meet to renew our spirits in communal worship God's work is not done within their walls but out in the community. It is good to renew our spirits by thanking and praising God always but we do so that we may go out and do God's work abroad with renewed vigor. As members of Christ's body, the church, here on earth we have a duty to support one another in the faith and admonish, gently, those who stray even as we may find ourselves in need of that admonition. It is not by coincidence that the 70 are sent out two by two so that they may support one another in the work they are to do. This principle was used before and has been since in many contexts. Finally, we are not to glory in our accomplishments or indeed the size of our church budgets, membership rolls, and attendance figures; nor in the good deeds we have done; but in the fact of our membership in the Kingdom of God.
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