Second Thoughts Towards Sunday, Nov 15, 2015

Reading:  Mark 13:1-8  (The disciples are in awe of the magnificence of the Temple; to many Jews it is a sign of the solid faithfulness of God towards them.  Jesus tells them not to get too attached, though; it will be destroyed within a generation.  And what's more, all the world as they know it will be thrown into such chaos that people will be grabbing on to any life preserver and saviour that comes along.)

How can Jesus practice such non-attachment to the Temple?  He knows its importance to the people.  He also makes good use of it as a place to teach people about God, just like he used the synagogues in the towns and villages he visited on the way to Jerusalem.  So how can he now seem so non-attached to the people's holy places?

Is it because of the corruption and abuse he sees there, so that when push comes to shove and you have to make a choice, it's better to throw out the building with the dirty bath water?

Or is it because he is aware that what the building points to, is not dependent on any particular building for it to be true?  Something like ... the faithfulness of God?  The presence and persistence of God's kingdom in the world?  The reality of God's love and good will for us and for all the world, with or without buildings?

A few questions for the few days that remain before Sunday:

• what is your attitude, and your level of attachment to our church building?
• does our church building and what it's used for, express God's love and good will for ourselves, for Winona, and for all the world?
• if we ever lost our building, what would we do to continue to express God's love and good will for Winona?