03-06-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 6, 2020
Scripture: Mark 7:1-2
Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.

Thought for the Day: Before we start pointing fingers at THOSE Pharisees and Scribes, let’s remove the log from our own eye. When have you ever heard folks in church flip out because someone didn’t do communion correctly or the preacher wasn’t wearing the proper attire or we didn’t do the Lord’s Prayer in worship. It probably won’t shock too many of you, but I had someone scream at me at the top of his lungs because we didn’t do the Lord’s Prayer in worship. Yes, we skipped reciting it at the traditional place because we had a soloist sing it during communion. And before you think I’m lecturing you, I have done the very same thing in regard to a practice that had strangely become the thing I was worshiping instead of a tool that should have pointed me to the One worthy of my worship. History, tradition and ritual are all so wonderful and beautiful until they are no longer wonderful and beautiful. It’s not that such things have become old, but we have allowed them to become empty of their meaning. We have become mechanistic as we recite or do the dance without being caught in the power of the Spirit at work in the words or actions. We’ve all been there, and so when we read scriptures like the one above, how do such passages challenge us moving forward? Is there still great meaning to be found in the rituals and practices of the faith? I hope so!

Prayer: Holy God, continue to provide ancient practices that are full of life and power. Continue to share with me new revelations of your grace and goodness, whether it is something old or new. Amen.

SEE YOU SUNDAY

Remember To Spring Forward

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