Worship will be rooted in John 2.13-22. In a podcast discussion about this text, Karoline Lewis of Luther Seminary reminds us that this story is recorded in all of the Gospel accounts but unique to John’s account is the understanding that the Temple has become the place of trade and commerce so that the worshipping community can have access to all of the “things” they need to worship. (things like birds and animals for sacrificial rituals) When Jesus, in effect, destroys the vendors set-up, might he be saying “You don’t need all of this “stuff” in order to worship God. You need eachother and you need me. We need to be in relationship with eachother and God. That is what constitutes the new foundation of our community”? On the cross, Jesus was unable to feel God’s abiding presence. God did not “show up” for him. This was agonizing and devastating. We know that in order to know and to be known persons must “show up” in our relationships.
When you think of your individual life and daily interactions with the community, how do you believe you show up? How Authentic are you? What shapes your ability to be Authentic – to be yourself with others?
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