psalm 15 - who shall be admitted - 25th week monday 2016

Today we reflect on Psalm 15.  Psalm 15 can be likened to an processional or entrance song – pilgrims would sing this song as they enter the temple in procession - who shall be admitted to your tent, who shall live on your holy mountain. 

Every religion has a requirement before one enters a sacred place – there may be ablutions or washings, or the putting on of sacred marks on the forehead, or it can be the putting on of the required dress or clothing.  In this psalm the requirement for entering the temple is spelled out.  To those who enter a clear conscience is demanded.  The person who worthily enters the temple is a person who does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart, he does not slander nor harms his fellow man, he does not lend his money on usury and does not accept bribes.

If one does these things, the psalmist says one shall never be disturbed – which means that one will have peace in God’s temple, one will be at home in God’s house.

So I think this is a good checkup list for us who come to the temple, who come to church – have I loved enough, have I cared enough, am I just in all that I do?  Only then can we worship undisturbed.

Our gospel speaks of a disciple whose works are compared to a lighted lamp placed on a lampstand so that people can see – that too happens when our worship inside the church corresponds to our actions outside the church.  May God make us worthy to enter his temple.  Amen.