We’re in the last two weeks before the end of Ordinary time and the beginning of Advent (Dec. 2). The day was a mixture of clouds and sun with temperatures getting cooler as the day progressed. The sycamore leaves are turning and falling, gradually but many still remain on the trees:
Today we celebrated the birth of Owen Patrick Long, the new son of Alexander and Elizabeth Long and Alex’s grandson, born Nov. 16, 2012. We are starting a new tradition, placing a new flower on the altar in honor of the birth
The altar had a beautiful combination of flowers and with the stained glass light it is quite a show:
The light on the side also reflected the candles
The Gospel is becoming apocalyptic (Mark) with the destruction of the temple which will lead to a discussion about end times on 1st Advent. Hebrews is about passing through the curtains, doorways to salvation. We are instructed to help one another as the end times are coming – " And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
This is more inviting as we enter Thanksgiving week.
The verses from Hebrews describe the divine rationale for the crucifixion, its benefits for humanity and the ways in which humanity is invited to respond to the Cross event. The metaphor is a doorway.
The sermon mentioned the doorway to Jesus and to us-" the new and living way that Jesus opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh). "
As we get nearer to Advent, the verses foretell the passion of Christ
As the sermon relates "When Jesus died on the cross, Mark tells us that the curtain of the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two, from top to bottom, opening forever for all people the doorway into God’s presence, the doorway that I saw open that day in prayer—the doorway that Jesus himself opens for us through God’s forgiveness for us, symbolized by our baptisms. "
Doorways figure prominently in the Bible . In Hebrews there is the rare encouragement to go through the doorway into the church. " Hebrews 10:25 is just that verse: "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The injunction is clear: do not neglect to meet together. This author will allow for no "bedside Baptists," for no mentality that loves Jesus, but can live without His church. Christian fellowship depends on the reign of Jesus.
Jesus comes into the service but just doesn’t sit anywhere as he comes through the door. He takes a seat at the right hand of God, the fulfillment of the promise to David’s heir found in Psalm 110:1 (first cited in Hebrews 1:14). His heavenly session allows those who claim him as their priest to go right into the holy place of God (10:19). His sacrifice, like those of other high priests, cleanses the body, but it also removes the consciousness of evil from the heart.
Another context for the doorway is a doorway to new meaning. Verse 16 somewhat modifies the text of Jeremiah 31:33, which deals with the covenant God establishes with Israel. The purpose of the covenant is two-fold: to inscribe the covenant in hearts and in minds. In other words, the law will function both affectively and intellectually as a guide to a godly life.
The sermon places the context in the Thanksgiving celebration this week. "Choosing to come to church, gathering together in thanksgiving to worship, is ultimately an act of hope and confidence in God" and it is reminder of going home at Thanksgiving. "Coming to church, gathering together in thanksgiving to worship, is ultimately an act of hope and confidence—not only in God, but also in one another."…"And we gather with our less than perfect family members and friends believing that God, who has promised to redeem all of creation, will enter into our brokenness and heal us and our relationships with God’s powerful and redemptive love. God’s love for each one of us gives us hope and confidence"
The writer describes another well-known feature of the old temple system; the curtain which separates the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. One Gospel account of the crucifixion mentions the tearing of the temple curtain. Here the curtain is reframed with an analogy: the writer notes in verse 21 that the curtain is now "through his flesh."