Why bother to worship?

For Easter 2. Reading include: Acts 5:27-32, Psalmm 118:14-29, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8; & John 20:19-31

Many years ago a very saintly (yet perhaps obstinate) Bishop wrote a book
defending, promoting and encouraging
the ancient worship of the Anglican church
It was entitled "what mean ye by this service"
Itself a quotation from Exodus 12...in which children are invited to ask their parents
what worship means
it is particularly linked to the Passover
that mysterious meal when God's saving events are recounted
and rendered present in this world as they were in the past

It may seem strange for a priest to say that he gets a little freaked out by worship but what worries me is that we make a disconnect

between:

• worship and the scriptures and 

• worship and real life

If some how we have forgotten

that worship does not exist for its own sake

then  we have rather lost the plot.

There is a sense in which people 

(outside the church community)

come and find us

doing something that 

neither connects with God

nor connects with life.

This is very serious stuff.

But if for a moment there is an element of truth of it then the Church is in deep trouble!

What might we then think about?

Easter is a good time for us to think about worship
It reminds us that we gather together to link our story with God's story.
We can at least least ask:
What do I hear in the Scriptures?
And what do I feel through the prayers?
And how does this connect with my life.

The readings at this time of year are almost too much
The Gospel alone speaks of "Peace be with you!"
Immediately sparking the question
....what is PEACE for me?   What do I hope Jesus will bring if he brings me peace...
I have a few clues about my life...how do you go when you think about yours?

As we think about our worship...does it help or hinder me to hear how God speaks this into my life

There is also much about woundedness
and about what we do with doubt

Is there space for this in our worship
do we come out feeling enriched 
or diminished
with these important questions?

Some how "going through the motions"
isn't going to cut the mustard
is it?

Or detaching ourselves 
from reality for an hour or so.

We are seeking  to be honest 
with God, each other and ourselves
anything less just misses the mark.