Thoughts for the Day

‘Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, who found favour with God and asked that he might find a dwelling-place for the house of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says,

“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
Did not my hand make all these things?”

‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In today’s passage from Stephen’s testimony to the Sanhedrin against a charge of blasphemy he emphasises that God’s presence is not confined to a physical structure like the Ark of the Covenant, but transcends earthly dwellings. He is challenging the emphasis on the Temple in Jerusalem where rules and regulations are the order of the day, and where importance is placed on rituals and symbols. This is a direct attack on the influence of the Pharisees. Stephen argues that God is the ruler of the universe, and he quotes Isaiah 66.1-2 as he slates the people for their ignorance. He lays the ground for our understanding that God works within us, through His Spirit.

Having said this however I have always found ancient churches very special, and having been a parish priest of a good many I find them spiritually uplifting. However, sanctuaries filled with dust, mortar flakes from the walls, or cobwebs is a 'no-no', and a patterned carpet filled with images of men shooting arrows at one another was another! It was a shock for me to spend a few years in a church based in a community centre (where you could hear the barman 'cashing up' during the service), but it was a very important time as I learnt to rely less on the place of worship and more on worship itself, which is based on faith and God's grace. But I still love quiet sanctuaries and old churches!

Almighty God,
Your Son taught His disciples
that You are God of the universe,
and as such do not only dwell in 'temples'.
We thank You for the quiet places,
wherever we find them,
places where we can spend time with You.
Help us to build space in our busy life
to spend it with You.
Amen.