“The Magi fell down and worshipped Him, presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The Gospel of St. Matthew

“The day is coming, and now has arrived, when the real worshippers of God will worship in Spirit and truth.”  Jesus

Do you worship?  If so, how?

What is the “right” way to worship?

In my previous life as a Lutheran pastor I used to place a great deal of emphasis on getting worship (called The Liturgy) “right”.  It was necessary, or so I was taught and believed, to do certain things–from confession, to communion, to crossing oneself– in a correct way.  This belief was based on Scripture and Tradition.  For a time I was part of the Orthodox church, which put an even greater emphasis on the right way to worship.

It’s not bad to want to worship God in a manner that is proper, pious, and pleasing.  But when the end goal is the way one is worshipping rather than the One that is being worshipped, something has gone awry.

Why this focus on worship?  Last Sunday I attended two worship services that couldn’t have been more different.

The first was at a church called “The Sanctuary” which has as its mission reaching all of those who might be considered “marginalized”.  I was struck by the wide variety of people in the sanctuary.  All ages, all races, all socio-economic backgrounds—at least from the appearance of them.  I was also impressed by the pastor’s message, which connected on such a visceral level with the listeners, me included.  It wasn’t too theological, nor was he trying to sound educated or erudite.  He just spoke of God and Jesus in a very genuine way that people could understand and relate to.  But most impressive was the large cross at the front of the church.  During a break in the service, I went forward to see it. It had three huge spikes in it, and an open treasure chest at the foot of it.  In the chest wasn’t money, but other “treasures” that were no longer valued by the people that had placed them there—like bags of pot, cigarettes, booze bottles, and even a few needles.  It was magi-cal, in that the items placed there had been so valued by their previous owners. Those past treasures were no longer needed or wanted, they had been replaced by the greater treasure of knowing Jesus Christ and having and holding Him–whether as the baby in the creche or the dying savior on the cross. It was such a moving experience that I touched the cross, perhaps hoping that it would make such an impression on me.  The worship experience, which lasted two hours, was Magi-cal.

The second service four hours later was at the Basilica in Denver.  I went there with my family for a service of Lessons and Carols. The edifice itself is almost overwhelming in it’s transcendently divine sacred splendor.  Truly it is a space fit not only for a bishop, but for a king.  Vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows, magnificent marble, and a pipe organ all contribute to the aesthetics which convey the clear message of the other-worldly heavenly setting in which God must dwell—at least some of the time.  The service was so gorgeous, beginning with a procession of choir and clergy accompanied by acolytes and incense.  This was followed by numerous selections sung by choir and soloists, accompanied by organ, flute and oboe.  Interspersed were readings from the Scriptures.  It was so beautiful, so peaceful, so serene, so sacred. When we all sang the closing hymn, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,”  it almost felt as if we were in the company of the heavenly host.  Who knows, maybe we were? Magi-Cal.

Two worship services in one day that were so radically different, but each, in its own way, so divine, and no doubt pleasing to God.  I’ve been reliving and reviewing them in my heart and mind all week.  And I’ve also been pondering the question, what is the “correct” way to worship? 

Based on the two services and the theme passages at the beginning of this blog I would say that there is NO correct way.  However, there is a Magi-Cal way.  What does that mean?

1.  Worshipping in Spirit and Truth.  Being led by The Spirit into the Truth of God, revealed in Christ.
2. Worshipping in a manner in which there is a heavenly exchange.  Like the Magi we come as we are, kneel down (literally or figuratively) and offer up ourselves in body, mind, and spirit, emptying not only our hands, but all that we most treasure, no matter what that treasure is,  so that we can receive the gifts given by God.

I’m going to conclude with a couple of quotes that couldn’t be more different in the way that they welcome people to worship.  Curious, which do you think is more “correct”—or at least most captures the spirit of “Magi-Cal” worship?

“Practically speaking, this means that Holy Communion is offered only to those persons who are confirmed members in good standing of LCMS congregations and those church bodies in full pulpit and altar fellowship with us. It should be noted also that communion is not to be given to the unrepentant nor unbelievers.” —A statement on communion from “Steadfast Lutherans.”

“If you are a saint, sinner, abused, abuser, heartbroken, homeless, homebound, whore, lost, fearful, adhd, liar, hypocrite, bastard, liar, cutter, tweaker, alone, alcoholic, abandoned, adopted, addicted, leftover, divorced, disillusioned, lgbt, old, young, cheater, wealthy, wise, poor, despised, infected, rejected, pierced, tattooed, or just a misfit . . . you are welcome here.”  –A statement on “communion” from The Sanctuary Church