“The rationale for having a ‘place’”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Sunday, January 5, 2025
Psalm 84 (Forward, p. 68) CEV p. 607
Today’s psalm acutely poses a very ‘modern’ question and dilemma, the question of whether having a particular place or places for worship makes any sense. There are some who claim that they can worship God anywhere, choosing to do so (if they actually do it) somewhere out in God’s creation. Without dismissing this in the least, I would have to admit that there are certainly places in the great out-of-doors that invoke a sense of awe and wonder, a seascape for instance, or a mountain scene or waterfall or the unclouded sky on a winter’s night.
But, what about places that are especially set apart for the worship of God? I would certainly say that there are church buildings that I have entered that gave off a sense that people have worshipped here, a sense of holiness, a sense of the presence of God. This feeling was especially acute and real for me by way of contrast. I had just experienced the yucky, dark, closed in feeling of the very New Age, occult small Cornwall village of Tintagel. The feeling of darkness felt almost clammy, almost clingy. But then out on the windswept, barren coast was an old Celtic church, St. Materiana, and here the difference was almost palpable. Yes, this, I knew, was a holy place.
And it is not me alone that feels this way. Something that church folks in Europe have discovered is what some called ‘cathedral evangelism’. What is involved here are people, young people in particular, seeking out cathedrals and other old churches because there is something special about them. They probably would never describe it as ‘holy’ but there is something that attracts them there, and they want to be there. I have the sense that today’s psalmist felt this way about the Temple in Jerusalem. He felt at home there and wanted to be there—more than anything else in life. And so, following his lead, and that of so many others, I would argue that places set apart for the worship are to be valued—and used, for the glory of God and for the health of each of us. Thanks be to God.
Forward notes: “Happy are the people whose strength is in you! Whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way” (verse 4).
“I love road trips! Several years ago, my daughter was beginning her master’s degree program, and we set out on a road trip from Virginia to
California. Once the car was packed, we simply headed west along I-40. Though our route was long and often took us through desolate locations, thanks to the interstate, it was clear. With the highway as our guide, we were able to make a few interesting detours, knowing that all we had to do was get back on the main route, and we would be headed to our destination once again.
“The psalmist tells us that there is a highway in the hearts of all those who love God that leads directly to Zion, God’s holy place. We travel on and off this highway through periods of drought and weeping but also from strength to strength. The road is well marked; as long as we keep heading in the same direction, we’re assured to reach our destination. And when we finally arrive, we find God waiting to welcome us.”
Moving Forward: “Imagine a road trip on the pilgrims’ way. What instructions do you think would be included?”