It Is Dangerous To Go To Church (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2)

"It is dangerous to go to church. Be on your guard when you get near a church, for there are some terrible things that can happen to you there."[1]

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." - Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

There is a terrible danger of presumption in any conversation with God. We don't have a lot of experience dealing with infinite, almighty deity and so we assume that we should treat God like some other relationship that we have. Even our vocabulary is limited to words such as lord and king and master and patron that we would apply to powerful people in society because there just isn't a category in which to place God. Or, in a more democratic vein, we borrow from the language of family and relationship, father and brother and friend.  These are all good, but they mask the fact that our relationship with God is unlike any other: "God is in heaven and you are on earth."

So these titles, rather than being avenues of understanding into the character and nature of God actually mask his face, hidden behind the platitudes and wisdom and cultural baggage that is also attached to those names. We feel that we know him. We think have a handle on what he wants. Knowing that, we avoid his displeasure and try (covertly, so as to never reveal even to ourselves what we are doing) to gain our desired outcome. The face of God has come to look, surprisingly, a lot like our own.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9

One might understand the basics of God's character, but it is a great presumption to know how that character works itself out in divine action because we cannot follow the calculus of his mind, the dept of his compassion or the resources at his disposal. Trying to memorize the facts about God is a dangerous business, because, though his character may be unchanging, his actions are ever his own; dynamic, varied, surprising and vast. He acts at his own discretion and does not need to explain himself to you or me.

We only know that God is good, he is powerful and that he cares deeply for us. The rest is really up to Him.

[1] Peterson, Eugene H.. Every Step an Arrival (p. 153). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Call To Worship: The Year of the Lord's Favor (Isaiah 61)

L1: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

L2: He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

C: To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

L1: To comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

L2: To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

C: They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

L1: Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

L2: You will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.

L1: You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

C: Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

Call to Worship: Prayer at the Kiss of Peace

Taken from the Mass of the Faithful in the Eastern liturgy, from Early Christian Prayers, A. Hamman, ed., pps. 212-213

L1: God and Lord of all that is, make us worthy of this hour, unworthy that we are, for you have men's people at heart. Cleanse us from all deceit and hypocrisy, that we may be united one to another by the bonds of peace and love. May we draw strength and holiness, O God, from knowing you, through your only Son, our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

L2: Blessing be yours, and his, and your holy, all-holy, life-giving Spirit's, now and forever, age after age. Amen.

L1: Let us stand with proper reverence and pray peacefully to the Lord.

L2: You are the God of peace and mercy, of love and compassion and kindness: you and your only Son and your all-holy Spirit, now and forever, age after age.

C: Amen.

L1: Peace be with you all.

L2: May your spirit, too, be at peace.

C: Let us greet one another with [a holy kiss] the greeting of peace.