Focus

Breathe in clear thoughts of peace and reflection as you prepare to hear God speak to you through the scripture and the writer. Put aside all the things the world says you have to accomplish today and use this time to rest in God’s presence.

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Read

Psalm 127 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city,
the guard keeps watch in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives sleep to his beloved.

Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.

Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them.
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

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Reflect

St. Augustine understood Solomon building the Temple as a prototype of Christ building the Church. He writes the name Solomon means “Bringer of Peace,” which was the purpose of Christ building the Church. Solomon wrote Psalm 127, and we can imagine that it was during the time he was building the Temple. Psalm 127 begins with, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Augustine notes that the Lord uses people in the work of building the Church. Some people are apostles, some pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. The person who preaches or teaches or serves the sacraments must do so in the Spirit of God. For if the work is done by any other power or by any other motivation, the builder builds in vain.

Also, Every believer has become a living stone shaped and formed for the spiritual temple. Yet we are not shaped for ourselves alone, but the Spirit of God gives us gifts to be used in building the Temple. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gives a long list of the gifts of the Spirit. You and I have been given the privilege and responsibility of being builders of the Temple not made with hands.

Augustine ends his homily on Building the Lord’s House by writing, “We (preachers and teachers) speak in public, but God builds inside. How well are you listening?” We come to church; we listen to the preaching; we go to Sunday School class, but are we employing what we have heard with the purpose of being equipped to build up the Temple, the Body of Christ?

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Pray

God of Grace, you have chosen us to be builders. Strengthen us for the work. Help us to discover our gifts and tools so that we are faithful builders. In Christ’s name. Amen

Go with God!