Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho!

Reflections

Reflection from Nigel Price

Luke 19.45-end

Jesus at the Temple
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. (NIV)

Reflection

Luke records this event in the temple courts in just a couple of sentences, but it is a really profound moment. It infuriated the authorities who became determined to deal with this subversive upstart. But just think about the last time you were in church on a Sunday. It is so tempting, isn’t it – to catch up with someone you haven’t seen for a week; to discuss with a fellow Church Council member the recent meeting; to hand over for reimbursement some bills just received; to make sure everything is in place for the service; to sell some tickets for the next fund raising event… In the front of our service books, have you spotted the line that says ‘It is our tradition to keep a time of silent prayer and reflection for five minutes before the start of the service…’ It is perhaps more an aspiration than a tradition!

Jesus says ‘My house will be a house of prayer’. He didn’t come asking for money. He didn’t come sidling up to people asking if they could go on the flower rota or the coffee rota or any other rota. He simply said follow me; love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul; and love your neighbour as yourself. If only it could be that simple! Man has constructed this leviathan that is the ‘church’ and of course it does have its merits and is worthy of our efforts, but we should remember why we are doing this.

Sometimes I feel that the church – the building rather than the people – does more to bring in the Kingdom on any day but a Sunday. Our churches are open and their open doors welcome anyone who passes into their embrace of calm. So many people find solace in being able to sit in the quiet, perhaps to pray, but at least to find comfort in the quiet and stillness. It may look like an empty building but each of our four churches is truly a house of prayer, ready and waiting to share out God’s love.

Collect (Additional)

Heavenly Lord, you long for the world’s salvation: stir us from apathy, restrain us from excess and revive in us new hope that all creation will one day be healed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.