Thought for Today
Ecclesiastes 4:12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Psalm 133:1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Yesterday, following Coffee Hour, we had what we referred to as a Church Work Day. Ironically, the lectionary reading for yesterday included Mark 2:23-3:6, a passage themed around Exodus 20:8 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15. Both of those Old Testament passages deal with the Commandment to remember and keep holy the Sabbath Day.
Some of us worked in the flower beds in the front of the church; some worked in the beds behind the church. Others worked cleaning the kitchen and elsewhere inside. I had asked the question during my sermon, “Are there things you will not do on Sunday based on the Old Testament instruction to keep the Sabbath holy?” Note to self: next time refer to it as an Eco-Fellowship Day.
Were we working on the Sabbath Day, thereby transgressing the commandment? Or, were we celebrating God’s Creation by pruning dead branches and leaves, cleaning out dusty corners? Is the question itself merely an exercise in linguistic gymnastics and sophistry? I think not. I do not believe that the efforts of worshippers to maintain and beautify their places of worship constitute work in the sense of those Old Testament passages. Especially, in light of the passage we read in Mark.
I believe our ancestors-in-the-faith had truly bound up all the laws and commandments of the Torah into a straitjacket of false piety. Missing the intent of the law, they substituted a focus on the minute details of the Torah. The truth is that by such fallacious logic, even breathing would constitute work and thereby violate the law.
As I reflected on our Eco-Fellowship Day yesterday, 2 things came to mind. First, we were gathered there in Jesus’ name. The church exists for the purpose of worshiping God the Father and Jesus, the Son, the Incarnate Creative Word of God. I believe everything that goes on at our church is an act of worship. Certainly, our formal worship service meets that criterion. Equally, all of the activity centered around our Community Food Pantry is an act of worship, literally and solely existing to ‘do it to the least of these who are members of God’s family.’ So too is everything associated with Our Secret Garden, our church’s preschool program. Everyone there is “together in unity” of purpose, irrespective of whether or not they are constantly aware of the promise of Jesus that he is “there among them."
When we are there on Sunday, we need to remember Jesus’ words "The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath." If the Lord of the Sabbath is there clipping dead branches with us, it cannot be called work. Repeat note to self: next time refer to it as an Eco-Fellowship Day.
The second thought that came to mind is a realization of how much can be accomplished when God’s children work together. It is certainly possible to worship God in solitude, alone. Sometimes the solitude is even beneficial, helping us to shut out all the distractions of the world around us. However, had I worked alone yesterday, I could only have accomplished a minute fraction of what was done.
One of my mother’s favorite aphorisms was “Many hands make light work.” It is a universal truth. When we think of it in terms of Christian fellowship, we realize just how important it is. One of the constant elements in the growth of Christianity in the first centuries was fellowship. The first churches were initially family and extended family churches. Even the 12 disciples became a family of faith, living, learning and ministering together.
This week, think about what might be accomplished were Christendom to work together to attack the world’s problems. Hunger? Housing insecurity? Peace? Could anything resist the coordinated efforts of those gathered together in Christ’s name? Those dead branches and dusty corners yesterday could not!
Stay safe, work and worship together, trust God,
Pastor Ray