What Sunday Worship is REALLY all About

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6.1-4)

The majesty which Isaiah witnessed when he saw God being worshipped in Heaven was also expressed in the Temple which God commanded Moses to construct for His People to worship Him on Earth. For a better description of how Moses was commanded to construct the Temple, read Exodus chapters 25-28 all of which express the majesty of God.

This SAME majesty is expressed in Orthodox Christian worship. Golden candlesticks, incense, Altars, Thrones, Vestments, precious metals and stone are all integrated into Orthodox Christian worship for a reason – to prepare us for being in Heaven.

Many Protestant Churches today express quite a different atmosphere to their worship. Rather than the majesty of heaven, many Church services Sunday mornings “feel” more like a night club. Rather than bowing and reverencing the Altar of God, many Church services Sunday mornings lift up the human passions rather than the mantle of God. In fact many Christians validate this by using the expression “It felt awesome today in Church!” or “I get so lifted up when I go to Church!”

On the contrary Saint Paul and Saint John the Theologian had quite the different reaction to seeing God being worshipped in heaven, much the same as Moses and Isaiah.

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. (Revelation 1.17)

And I know such a man -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows --how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Corinthians 12.3-4)

The Orthodox Church has a centuries-long witness in the lives of countless holy men and women who have had visions of God, ALL OF WHOM express similar stories as we find the Holy Scriptures. So, if we are preparing as Christians to worship God in Heaven for all eternity, why would we not express that same majesty in our Earthly worship? Of course as Orthodox Christians, we do, are at least we should.

The trend in mega-Churches toward the night club atmosphere is obviously attractive to many in today’ entertainment culture, but does it REALLY prepare believers for what is coming for all eternity? If God taught that the way to salvation was in taking up our cross and denying ourselves, it would seem that Sunday worship would focus, not on what makes us FEEL good, but the awesome majesty of being in God’s presence. Would a believer, if they were in the presence of God, REALLY worry more about feeling good than bowing in reverence at the Altar of God?

When you come to Church on Sunday, please consider the REAL reason you are worshipping God. If you are focused more on how you “feel” rather than being in His Presence and glory, you may not be preparing yourself and your family for what is coming in Heaven. Don’t you want to be prepared?

The Hymn of Simeon Should Be Our Hymn

When the righteous Simeon was presented with the infant Jesus for the Presentation to the Temple, he remembered God’s promise. You see, one day while Simeon was praying, the Holy Spirit revealed to him, “that he would not death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2.26) It was shortly after hearing this promise that the Mother of God was in the Temple with her Son for the Forty Days Blessing. When Simeon held Jesus, he praised God and said, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2.29-32)

Now Simeon felt he could die in peace, knowing the Savior had been born.

We have also received a promise from God. God has promised that if we believe in Jesus we will live eternally with Him in Heaven. Saint Paul reminds us, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10.9) Simeon knew this promise and believed in his heart, and he rejoiced at the news.

With all the stress and anxiety our world is facing, you would think that we were wanting peace in our hearts. Now we can have it because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has saved us from death. What more could possibly cause anxiety in our hearts if we remember this promise? The hymn of Simeon should be our hymn; maybe it would help us remember God’s promise.

Yes, Jesus said, “Go to Church”

I can’t count how many times I have heard, “Father, I don’t have to go to Church to worship God, because He is everywhere.” While we do believe God is everywhere, the idea of not going to Church has never been part of the Christian point of view. In the Gospel of Luke, we hear the story of the Ten Lepers who came to Jesus who, “lifted up their voice and said, ‘Jesus, Master; have mercy on us!’ So when He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17.13-14)

Of course, this was not an isolated incident. The Old Testament is filled with commandments for the people of God to go to the Temple for healing and to receive the blessings of God. The Church is a holy place where God continues to meet His people. There is blessing in the Church. There is peace in the Church. There is healing in the Church. There is salvation in the Church.

God established His Church, the people AND the Temple, as a place of salvation. Our journey as Orthodox Christians is not as lone rangers, but a community of faithful dedicated to living in communion with God. When God commanded the Ten Lepers to show themselves to the priests, He was offering the Lepers the blessing, and ultimately healing, of being part of the People of God. Had they said, “We don’t need to go to Church…” they would never have been healed.

It’s time to get back to Church to find peace and be healed!

Sometimes I Think we Just Confuse Old with Tradition

Today’s topic from the 40 Days Blogging Challenge is “Oil Lamps." Following the ancient tradition of the Temple as commanded by God, Orthodox Christians bring an offering of olive oil to be burned in the Church lamps continually serving as a reminder of the presence of the Light of God.

And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually (Exodus 27.20)

Although olive oil has been offered to God for centuries, millennia actually, many Churches today have electric lamps in front of Icons and Icon Screens. Many have told me that this is done mainly for safety reasons, and quite frankly there have been TOO many Church fires this year. But is electric ok when it comes to the Church?

Allow me to take this topic in a different direction…Is it ok to swap ancient practices with new technology? Isn’t that all electric lights accomplish? Would God have commanded the Temple lamps to have 100 watt light bulbs if He could? There is something to be said about the offering part of the oil lamps, but aside from a parishioner bringing the oil, the PURE oil, as a gift to God; could the offering not be a check to cover the bulb and electricity? It’s not like WE press the olive oil, right?

I have to admit, as much as I prefer the original, I’m not sure where I draw the line. I do think there is a benefit to the discipline of lighting the oil lamps in the Church every morning. We maintain six in our Church, and there is a blessing in the daily practice, and prayers, of lighting the lamps, especially if you can remember that EVERY offering to God is an offering of prayer and devotion to God.

So, I’ll keep the oil lamps in our Church. We also have several electric lamps on the Icon Screen, which are “on” 24 hours a day, so I’m definitely NOT a purest when it comes to this issue. I was told once that an oil lamp is “alive” rather than dead electricity, but I’m not sure I buy that argument. The last time I stuck my finger in an electric socket, it felt pretty alive to me! Yes....I HAVE done that.

A few other examples of the “technology swap” include:

• Chanter stands with computer screens replacing traditional books
• Paraffin candles replacing pure beeswax
• Icons on canvass rather than painted on the wall
• Electronic or digital bells and speakers replacing bell towers

 Sometimes I think we Orthodox confuse “old” with Tradition.

  

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Did God Command Bishops to Wear Special Hats?

In a recent article, Pope Francis was quoted as saying he was thinking of doing away with "the hat" and "Besides, you expect me to believe God really cares if I wear a big pointy hat or not? Come on.”  That got me thinking about Orthodox Clergy and the comments I often hear about we dress. I gather the Pope is trying to bridge the gap between the younger "more with-it" generation who might consider the Bishop's Mitre as old fashioned, ritualistic and therefore BAD. But did God say anything about hats?

I've already written my thoughts about clergy vestments in general, so I won't go into that here. You read about clergy vestments of the Old Testament Temple in Exodus 28-29, but I have quoted 2 points here...

"And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban" Exodus 28.37

"You shall put the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban." Exodus 29.6

I guess maybe God DID say something about how the celebrant must dress. Of course, I'm not a follower of Sola Scriptura, but even I can can tell the difference between a baseball cap and a holy crown.

UPDATE! I was going to delete the entire post as I "fell" for the satire. I don't normally fall for this stuff, but I saw this headline in a few locations, and in the growing context of coverage of the Pope's desire to "change things up" I didn't do the proper research. Having said that, I STILL think (which is why I didn't delete the post) there is benefit to reminding visitors/friends/society in general of the wealth of our ancient Holy Tradition.

How do you Sacrifice Incense?

First-time visitor: “What is that smell?”

Me: “OH! That’s incense”

FTV: “What’s THAT!?”

Me: “Incense is a special power that we burn in the Church as an offering to God.”

FTV: “Hummm. I thought Saint Paul said we didn’t have to do that stuff anymore.”

Me: “Well! Just sit down here for a moment and let’s talk about that…

This is not a REAL conversation, but I have had many just like it in my twenty years (not all as a priest) in ministry. And I always enjoy a blunt conversation about why Saint Paul NEVER said to stop doing what we do in the Church.

The offering of incense (which by the way is a universal practice in EVERY major world religion) has been considered part of our worship since the earliest days. It is the feature of Psalm 140(141 in the Protestant/Roman Catholic Old Testament) offered EVERY evening to God.

LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, And they hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, As when one plows and breaks up the earth. But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely. Psalm 140/141

One common theme I find myself discussing with visitors is the term, sacrifice, which most (thanks to Hollywood) associate with killing something to satisfy some deity. I have found MANY have the image of “the virgin in the volcano” in their mind when they hear the term, sacrifice. So when I suggest that we sacrifice incense to God, they get not just a little suspicious. It helps to point out, though I am always surprised at just how many refuse to believe me, that the ancient Jews sacrificed MANY things, not just living animals. Once I can convince the visitor to use the term, offering, rather than, sacrifice, it comes a bit easier to visualize the offering of incense, bread, wine, oil, wheat, grapes etc. It also helps them to visualize that we OFFER these items to God on the Altar as a gift. For an excellent discussion on the sacrificial system of the Jews, see Fr James Bernstein’s “Surprised by Christ.”

Once I’m past the terminology hurdle, I can  focus upon the FACT that the Holy Apostles maintained many of the offerings of the Jews in the Temple, but excused themselves to “house churches” to offer the Thanksgiving (Eucharist – see my earlier post on this term)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (Acts 2.42-3.1)

And IF the visitor does not agree that the incense is part of Divine Worship, I turn to Revelation. In the Book of Revelation, we read St. John’s vision of the glory of God and of the Lamb. In this vision, St. John sees the twenty-four elders who fall down in worship before the throne of God.

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. (Revelation 8.3-4)

So, like I’m often heard saying, “Good enough for the Holy Apostles, good enough for me.” From that point, I pray a relationship is begun with the visitor about the genuineness of the Orthodox Church as the continuation of the Old Testament rather than a replacement. And we go from there…

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

What to do with all those Black Friday Bargains?????

2013 New Testament Challenge – Day 15 (Reflections on Mark 12-16)

Every year I participate in a special effort called the New Testament Challenge sponsored by a priest of the Orthodox Church in America. He encourages Christians to spend the Christmas Fast, also known as Advent) reading the entire New Testament as a preparation for Christmas. Each year I have done this, it has been blessing to me and I pray this year will be no different. As part of the New Testament Challenge, I endeavor to blog a bit about the reading for that particular day. I may miss a few, but I pray for those who follow this blog (NOW ALSO ON FACEBOOK) it will be a blessing.

Today is “Black Friday” so I wanted to keep my comments on the readings somewhat connected. If you read me earlier post today, “If you need it, buy it; If you can’t afford it, WAIT FOR IT,” then you already know my feelings about “Black Friday” so I won’t repeat them here. Today I want to reflect on a conversation I had last week, and Mark 14.3-9.

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? "For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. "For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. "She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." (Mark 14.3-9)

The other day, I had a conversation with someone about, as I was told, wasting money in decorating the Church. I’ve had this conversation MANY times before, so it doesn’t faze me, but it ties well into today’s readings. Have you ever noticed when people complain about “wasting money” in decorating the Church, they defend their affront with, “God doesn’t need money!” In my personal experience with this topic, the one with the affront is not at all financially struggling. In fact, they are fairly well off.

Although today’s reading in the Gospel of Mark doesn’t make reference of Judas’ intention in filing HIS affront, other sources do. “This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (John 12.6) I’m not suggesting the person with whom I had my conversation last week was a thief, merely that I’m not quite sure the affront was as pure as I was led to believe.

God has directed that His Temple be decorated with the finest materials; gold, fine linens, precious stones, etc. You can read about the construction of the Temple in Exodus 25-31. Why did He command this if He didn’t desire it? The point is the value WE place on those precious items. WE place a value on gold, and therefore we gild items that are of precious value to us, OR to show high social status. When we decorate God’s Church with golden items, it is because we place a value on those items and we wish to honor the highest social status that God deserves. When we pretend to be affronted by the money spent decorating God’s house, and then proceed to spend “Black Friday” filling our shopping baskets with items we don’t even need, how much affront is genuine?

So here is a challenge for you, specifically during this shopping season. How about you take the money saved on GREAT BARGAINS and bring it to the Church? This would be consistent with Saint John Chrysostom’s urging to take money saved during fasting periods and giving it to the poor. It might also help keep things in perspective for the Christmas shopping season. If we focus on spending the savings on ourselves, or worse, MORE SHOPPING, then we really haven’t benefited at all.

Until tomorrow…..You’re right! God doesn’t need money….but you probably don’t need that extra stuff you’re buying on sale either.

Vestments

As a general rule of thumb, I don’t spend a lot space on my blog dealing with deep theological issues, as they tend to distract from living the faith. It isn’t that I don’t believe they matter; they DO matter. They matter at a level I don’t normally have as the focus of my blog. Today’s topic, as given for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers’ Institute, is vestments. I’m quite sure there are many other more talented bloggers who can fill your brain with the details of exactly which piece of vestment symbolizes what and from which scripture quote. Again, I believe these things matter, but I’m not in that sort of mood today.

MOST people look at a member of the clergy and think one of two things…

Either “WOW! Where can I get me some of those cool duds?”

Or… “Why do they wear such funny clothes in this Church?”

Some MIGHT say, “I wonder why they dress like that.” (which is why I’m writing about the finer details)

But I’m sure NOBODY says, “Oh, that reminds me of heaven!” (and this is why I AM writing about the essence of clergy vestments)

When God established His Temple, and instructed Moses how to construct it, how to furnish it, how to decorate it, and how to operate it, He also instructed Moses to have the clergy dress in a certain fashion. For all these details, I suggest reading Exodus and Leviticus. God didn’t go such extreme lengths just for fun. He ALWAYS has a purpose for what He asks us to do. The Temple, and therefore temple worship, décor, and operation was to remind His people of Heaven. God has always had one thing in mind for us humans; to be with Him in Heaven. So the next time someone asks what Heaven will be like, tell them to visit an Orthodox Church (since there is no more Jewish Temple and we Orthodox Christians have inherited the fullness of the Temple Tradition) and watch the Orthodox Christian worship in action.

You see Orthodox Christian worship in and Orthodox Christian Church, and you see Heaven. The clergy attire was all part of this “foreshadow” of heaven. You can read for yourself in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 1. In both instances, we get a glimpse of God being worshipped in Heaven.

So, the next time you see an Orthodox Christian clergyman, dressed for worship, you will know that God has blessed you with a glimpse into Heaven. What remains is whether you are living with the understanding of that blessing or not.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

You are “A” Holy of Holies

Today is the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos (Bearer of God) in the Temple. According to the Holy Tradition of the Church, when she was about three years old she was brought to the temple by her aged parents Joachim and Anna to live. You might compare this practice to the Virgin Mary becoming a “Temple Virgin” and living among the other virgins within the Court of Women. Upon entering the Temple, according to the ancient Holy Tradition, she dwelt within the Holy of Holies and was fed by the hand of the Archangel Gabriel. Much of this story is included in the Protoevangelium of James, commonly attributed to Jesus’ half-brother, a son of Joseph. I encourage you to read the whole selection. You will be inspired. Most, including so-called cradle Orthodox, are not totally aware of the depth of the Holy Tradition about the Holy Virgin, most of which, though not Scriptural, helps us better grasp the awesomeness of the “Christmas Story.”

So the Most Holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, entered into the place reserved ONLY for the High Priest (and then only once per year) to offer the Atonement Offering. It was within the Holy of Holies that, by the grace and permission of God, humans and God could commune. It was only natural that the Most Holy Virgin, who was chosen by God as the first human to physically commune with God through the mystery of the Divine Incarnation, would be welcomed into the Holy of Holies.

But YOU too are a Holy of Holies of sorts. When you were baptized (if you have been) you became the Temple of the Living God. (2 Corinthians 6.16) Since that moment, God has lived in you through His Holy Spirit. Every time you receive Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, you commune physically with the Incarnate Word of God.

When God commanded Moses to construct His Holy Temple, He commanded that only the finest materials be used. The Temple was the dwelling place of God where humans and God would interact. It was a place of reverence and holiness. You can read about the construction of the Temple in Exodus 25-31.

If God commanded respect and reverence for the Temple made of stone, how much more should we care for the Temple not made with hands? We seem to forget that our bodies ARE temples of God. Would we desecrate the Temple of God with graffiti? Would we use the Temple of God to store tools for cleaning out sewers? Yet, every time we treat our human body with anything but the utmost respect, we are desecrating the Temple of God – the Holy of Holies.

Something to think about…

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.