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it most certainly is. It is right over there on every street corner USA.
perhaps we are thinking of relationship? Relationship is not a place....
Church buildings are a place, yes. But "the church" as it originally began was a reference to the "called out ones". It is both a local group, as well as a universal, world-wide group of people.
Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV)
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV)
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
This is actually the reading from the Gospel for today. And what Matthew is saying is, don't make any outward sign that you are praying or fasting just so others will know you are praying and fasting. Don't do it for the recognition. Those are Hippocrates. More concerned about being seen in church, rather being closer to God. The same is true for ashes. Don't come to Mass today to receive ashes if all you want to do is to be seen with ashes on your head. Rather, use the reminder that they represent to prepare yourself for the most holy of days. The day Christ died for our sins. Use the season of lent to cleanse yourself. Try to better yourself.
So just like Matthew preached, those who do not wash their face and look dirty and disheveled during their fast just so that others will know they are fasting, they are fasting for the wrong reason. Same is true for those who get ashes just so others will know they went to church.
Being from the south and being Catholic, I am in a minority. I use today to help spread the Gospel. When people see and ask about it, I am proud to use it as my opportunity to spread the word of God.
Church buildings are a place, yes. But "the church" as it originally began was a reference to the "called out ones". It is both a local group, as well as a universal, world-wide group of people.
Matthew 6:17-18 (NKJV)
17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
My priest brought that up last month. "And what do we do? Put ashes on our heads for all to see!"
I could skip the ashes, but the full Ash Wednesday service of the Episcopal Church is the most beautiful of the year, in my opinion. I went to Trinity Wall Street, and the choir singing Miserere Mei, Deus with the acoustics in that space, sends chills up your spine. The Bishop of New York had a moving sermon, here if anyone cares to listen or wanted to go today but couldn't.
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