The five words you need to hear at church

This is a great reminder—and it actually ties in with some of the thoughts in my homily for tomorrow. It comes from a Lutheran pastor, Dustin Parker, in California:

You need to hear these words.

They are critical for you to hear, not just with your ears, but with your heart, your mind, and into the depth of your soul.  They make the difference in your life….

“The Lord is with You”

If you’ve ever attended a Lutheran liturgical service, or a Catholic Mass, or even some Anglican or Orthodox services you will hear these words repeated several times throughout the service.

Do you ever wonder why?  Are we just saying this as a form of greeting, or in order to mark a transition in the service?

Or is this what church is supposed to be doing, helping you realize you dwell completely in the presence of God!  That the Holy Spirit has brought you to that place, in that moment to realize you aren’t alone, that God wants you there, and will do anything to make it possible for you to be there in His presence.

Read it all. Good stuff.

I’m reminded of the advice an aging pastor gave to his newly ordained deacon, a classmate of mine, as he prepared to deliver his first homily: “Whatever you say,” he told him, “just remember to tell them God loves them.”

The Lord is with you. Remember that!