Where Two or Three are Gathered

September 10, 2017

The Gospel shares with us a promise of God.  Jesus tells us where two or three are gathered with a purpose of holiness, with a purpose of blessing, there God will be in their midst.  He makes this promise and keeps this promise.  So often when two or three are gathered we rush to the judgment of trouble, especially if it is a group of young people.  I remember being in South Africa and listening to a child who spoke of the military shutting down school for the day because of two or three people gathered on a street corner. The Apartheid Government in power at the time wanted to suppress all groups.  Too many days of school were cancelled and it hurt their chances for better education.

We have seen protests and counter protests. We have seen the ugliness of hatred and fear.  We have seen what happens when two or three are gathered not in the name of the Lord, but in the name of violence.  Today we are called to gather for a special purpose, we are called to gather in the name of Jesus.  We are called to gather in the name of mercy.  It is time for us to gather and reclaim our purpose.  Please join me in a prayer for peace.

Reverend John J. Ouper