Daily Retreat 09/22/09
2009 Sep 22 Tue:Ordinary Weekday
Ezr 6: 7-8. 12b. 14-20/ Ps 121(122): 1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5/ Lk 8: 19-21
From today’s readings: “The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah.... Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.... My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it....”
The House of God
After the Babylonian exile, one of the primary goals of Ezra was keeping the people on task in re-building the Temple in Jerusalem, the House of God. For some people, it just wasn’t a priority. For others, there was a desire to re-build, but interference from hostile people around them and petty government officials kept causing holdups, until King Darius finally steps in and orders an end to the delays.
Without a doubt, the Church is more than a building - it is the family of the people of God! Yet the churches we build as places to come together and worship God should be more than just functional “gathering spaces.” Churches must be truly sacred edifices, proclaiming the presence of God both to those worshiping inside and to those passing by outside. The beauty of a church is meant to inspire transcendental thoughts of God’s own beauty, and to witness to the people’s priority in putting God first.
Since the first readings (and often psalms) of the next few days will continue to dwell on this aspect of the re-building of the House of God, perhaps sometime in the next week you can figure out a way to contribute to the building up and beautifying of your own local parish church, so that it too stands out as the House of God.
Ezr 6: 7-8. 12b. 14-20/ Ps 121(122): 1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5/ Lk 8: 19-21
From today’s readings: “The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah.... Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.... My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it....”
The House of God
After the Babylonian exile, one of the primary goals of Ezra was keeping the people on task in re-building the Temple in Jerusalem, the House of God. For some people, it just wasn’t a priority. For others, there was a desire to re-build, but interference from hostile people around them and petty government officials kept causing holdups, until King Darius finally steps in and orders an end to the delays.
Without a doubt, the Church is more than a building - it is the family of the people of God! Yet the churches we build as places to come together and worship God should be more than just functional “gathering spaces.” Churches must be truly sacred edifices, proclaiming the presence of God both to those worshiping inside and to those passing by outside. The beauty of a church is meant to inspire transcendental thoughts of God’s own beauty, and to witness to the people’s priority in putting God first.
Since the first readings (and often psalms) of the next few days will continue to dwell on this aspect of the re-building of the House of God, perhaps sometime in the next week you can figure out a way to contribute to the building up and beautifying of your own local parish church, so that it too stands out as the House of God.
posted by FrPitstick | 9/20/2009
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