Day 22

We have learned that we enter into a new community through our baptism. In this new community, we are called and expected to be a "Kingdom of priests." We also learned that our function as priests is to worship (the literal translation of worship from the Bible is "adoration")the Living God in our daily lives by the way we live and treat others. We are commissioned to live "such good lives" among unbelievers that they will praise the Living God. Today we're going to continue looking at this theme of continuous worship by looking at what happens in us as it compares to what happened in the Temple in Jerusalem prior to the crucifixion.

Take some time to adore ("worship") the Living God through praising what he does and what he has done in your life and in our world.

Check out Matthew 27:51; Acts 17:24; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:22.

1. What happened in Matthew 27:51? Why is this significant for us as we consider worshipping in spirit and truth?
2. Read Paul's speech in Acts 17:22-34. What does he have to say about the dwelling place of the Living God (the "unknown God" in this particular passage)? Does the Living God dwell in things crafted by men or women?
3. What are our bodies according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 and 6?
4. How does that change your view of your body?
5. How do those two passages impact your view of the Living God being present with you or not present?
6. How do these passages shift the debate about worship from something "in our hearts" to something in our whole being, including our bodies? (or another way to look at it- that worship isn't just in our minds or emotions but also in the physical realm)
7. How does that impact how and when you worship?
8. Where is the Temple in the city in Revelation 21:22? Why is there no temple?
9. Based on our work and reflection today, is there anything wrong with the statements, "I'm going to St. Peters First Community Church to worship," "Let's invite God to join us this morning," or "That was a great time of worship today." How would you rewrite these statements to bring them more in line with our reflection today?

Spend some more time adoring (worshipping) the Living God through your words. Then go and worship the Living God in the world by the way you treat others and through your actions today, tomorrow, and the next...

Peace.

Richard