Pentecost update: The return

Happy 06-06-06!

Today’s post continues the thoughts from June 4.
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Inside that Most Holy Place stood… Nothing.

A second point is that it’s possible to have all the buildings and activities, traditions and trappings and be, at the very center of it all, empty.

Empty of love. Empty of service. Empty of God’s Spirit.

For many during Jesus’ time, “seven evil spirits” had filled the empty space and led unbelieving Israel to reject the Promised One. The darkness of their hearts and the godlessness of their religious actions did not permit them to recognize God in their cities, streets and homes.

Of course, churches can stand empty at their center, and many of us have had to lament that event at some time in our past. But the reality that shakes us most is knowing our own hearts can be filled with many things but God. So we pray to fill our temple with Spirit, to be grounded in love so that, in the end, we will be prepared for the complete presence of God in all.

And not stand before him empty.