"(1) And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. (2) And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. (3) And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from morning until midday, before the men and the women, and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. ... (5) And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: (6) And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground."
     Matthew 23: 23-23

Doesn't this scene sound familiar? Do we not all stand for the reading of the Gospel by our priest, Pastor Dan? Do we not also worship and say Amen? It seems that some things haven't changed all that much across the millennia.

There are, however, many things that have changed. We now find that God is being taken out of public places, schools, courthouses and now out of our Pledge of Allegiance. How strange!

We have the documents of our nation's founding that constantly refer to God and yet we can't publicly acknowledge or proclaim Him. We can in churches and other houses of worship. The opening of our federal (as well as many state and local legislature and Supreme Court) proceedings are opened and closed with public acknowledgment of God. Our elected leaders and representatives end their oaths of office with the words, "So help me God." We use the same phrase when we testify in courts. We base our laws and legal codes upon the teachings from our Judeo-Christian heritages and yet cannot display the Ten Commandments in or around our courthouses. I am amazed, appalled and confused.

We proclaim our faith in church and yet not in the workplace nor in public. We are exhorted to provide models in our personal and public lives and yet we can't acknowledge Him publicly. And yet when a crisis or a disaster strike, there is not one voice raised in protest when God is called upon for help or given credit for His help and guidance. We all must be well-adjusted schizoids in order to safely and sanely live our lives. How strange and how sad.

Thank you God for being here for us to guide and protect us, to heal and to nurture us when there is pain or illness in our lives. Forgive us for not having the courage to acknowledge You to ourselves and others. Grant us the strength to let others know how really grateful we are to You for Your patience and the gift of Your everlasting love and grace. Amen

Contributed by Michael S.
Published Monday November 17, 2003
Week 51 of Liturgical Year B