I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

Psalm 122:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:1
"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalms 118:24
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And he shall direct your paths."

Proverbs 3:5



On Lion's Wings

June 20, 2010
 

“The House of the LORD”
by Fr. Timothy Perkins, SSC

The opening verse of Psalm 122 has always seemed particularly appropriate to me as an anthem prelude or introit at the beginning of worship. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” Entering into worship should always be an occasion of joy and gladness for the faithful. Encountering our loving God is meant to comfort us in affliction, reassure us in our doubts, and bring cheer to us in our sorrows. For, to borrow from another Psalm (124:8), “Our help is in the Name of the LORD.”

So we rejoice to gather in the wonderful house of prayer that has been built on our shared faith. But there is yet much spiritual building to be done. We are in need of our faith being strengthened, founded on the rock of apostolic teaching, nurtured by “the breaking of bread,” and conjoined in unity of spirit (see Acts 2:42). For this, we are completely reliant on the goodness of God, for “Unless the LORD builds the house, their labor is in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1).

Plans are being made for a Sunday evening teaching and reflection series at the end of the summer, beginning August 8 and continuing through the first Sunday of September. In it, we will be built up through shared worship of the Lord Jesus and reflection on those things that unite us in him. Those who have shown commitment to the future of St. Mark’s through commitment to worship and support of our shared ministry are particularly invited to participate, but all will be welcomed and encouraged to “Seek the LORD while he wills to be found” (Isaiah 55:6).

Previous Articles:
June 13 June 6 May 30 May 23 May 16 May 9 May 2 April 25 April 18 April 11

 
©Copyright 2010 Saint Mark's Parish - Arlington Texas