Thoughts for the Day

Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates!
and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Psalm 24, is one of the most majestic of the psalms perhaps used when David brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. It is a processional song of praise with voices answering one another, about the All-Creating, All-Holy, All Victorious Lord of hosts. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things; He is the Holy One seated on His throne, before whom all must bow in worship; and He is the Victor who has vanquished all things to bring His plans for His Kingdom to completion.

When I first went to church women wore hats in church, while men would take theirs off, as a mark of respect to God. People would whisper in church rather than talk normally and there was certainly no tea and coffee served after the service. The language read was from the 1611 King James Bible and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer for Anglicans, or in Latin if you were a Catholic Christian. The words were much loved, but frequently not understood. I can remember a number of parishioners who thought that their personal prayers should also only be said using "Thee" and "Thy" language to God, and of course only on their knees!

But our God who is All-Creating, All Holy, and All-Victorious sent His Son to rescue us and, calls us as to a beloved child to join Him in His work of saving His creation from itself. We do not need an ancient language, or strange posture to communicate with Him for He whispers into our hearts His message of love, and waits for us to respond in praise, worship, and in action.

Loving Heavenly Father,
may we never forget that You speak to us
sometimes as a whisper;
sometimes as with a 'loud-hailer';
sometimes through the words of others;
sometimes through the actions of others;
and sometimes through the words of scripture.
We don't need special language or ritual
though it can help;
we just need to open our heart
and invite the Holy Spirit in!
Amen.