Rejoice Together

By Rev. Ethan Brown

Pastor and Minister of Care & Discipleship

Psalm 122
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up—the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.
There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.
 
Hurricane Idalia has come and gone. We have one branch down in our yard, more of a large stick than anything. Even though we canceled our Wednesday night time together, I’m grateful that Macon did not receive any worse from the storm. Ironically, Psalm 122, the psalm we would have discussed last night, depicts the joy pilgrims had as they finally arrived together in the city of Jerusalem, the goal of their journey. The Psalmist ties together Jerusalem’s identity with that of the “house of the Lord” (v. 1) and then frequently comments on the physical structures of the city—its gates (v. 2), thrones (v. 5), walls and citadels (v. 7). These sights helped usher in a sense of worship and recognition of God’s presence.
 
Perhaps you feel a similar sense of joy and communion with God when you see the pink brick tower as you turn into the parking lot of 1370 Briarcliff Road or the quiet moment of reverence as Gerald’s prelude ushers in our gathered worship. It is hard when we are prevented from coming together. There is always such joy in our gatherings in this place. Yet while the Israelites found Jerusalem to be a uniquely sacred space, one in which God literally dwelled, we know that God’s presence can be found beyond the walls of our church.
 
Perhaps you are ushered into the sacred as you walk a quiet tree-lined path in Amerson Park, or gather with friends at El Som, or commute around town. It is easy to forget that every mundane moment is truly bursting forth with the fire of God’s sacred presence. As we sang together this past Sunday, we too are “pilgrims on a journey,” a pilgrimage that does not end each Sunday. Our responsibility in traveling together is helping each other to see the sacred space around us, calling one another to worship, and calling one another to joy. Our gathered community carries us, even when we as individuals may feel far from God. That is part of the beauty of liturgy, words from other Christians spoken in faith until they can become our own words. That is part of the beauty of the Psalms as we read them and pray them, finding ourselves directed back towards God. May you find God's presence this day and may we rejoice together again soon.