These past days, I was meditating on the building of the Temple by Solomon, particularly the moments that followed its completion. The Ark of the Covenant was brought into the midst of the temple, and the Glory and Presence of God filled the temple. King Solomon turned around to the assembly and offered a tremendous prayer to God:
He asked God to keep watch over this place of worship. He asked that it be a place to come and receiving healing. He asked that it be a protection against enemies. When there is famine, or disease, or death, Solomon begged God to hear the pain of His children and come to their aid in the midst of the temple. He asked that when a non-believer or foreigner would come, that God will hear them if they come and offer supplications.
After the prayer, Solomon turned to the people and said: “May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in His ways and to keep all His commandments...Let your heart therefore be perfect t the Lord our God, that you walk piously in His statues, and keep His commandments…”
After the consecration of the temple, the Lord appeared to Solomon and said:
“I heard your prayer and the supplication you made before Me; I have done for you everything in your prayer. I consecrated this house you built to place My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there all the days.”
Dear ones, today, after almost 5 years of planning and 2 years of waiting, we return to the House that our Lord has built for us. From this day until the second coming of our Savior, we will with all our hearts give thanks to God.
Thank You O Lord…For our General Contractor Jonathan, and to His wife Jaclyn for sharing him with us…who did God’s work by taking this building from studs and molding it into what we are praying in this morning.”
Thank You O Lord…for all of the workers and laborers…both those who did good work, and yes Lord, thank You for those who failed in their duties…that we might learn patience.
Speaking of Patience…Thank You O Lord to those in civil authority within our city, who were only trying to be cautious and keep our faithful parishioners safe from harm.
Thank You O Lord for the struggles and the stress…especially the ones dealing with the finances of this expansion. The miracles you provided through the generosity of your faithful servants were, at times, beyond human logic and belief.
Thank You O Lord for the trials and misunderstandings that, at times, overtook portions of your flock. We are now provided the opportunity for love and forgiveness as we enter into Great and Holy Lent.
Thank You O Lord for the delays and the failed timelines…for it has brought us closer together as a community, and increased our yearning to once again be in the House of God.
Thank You O Lord for the beautifiers of this Holy House, especially Thy Servants, the iconographers John and Irina…who with Your guidances has provided everyone who walks into Your house an opportunity to see heavenly worship with their eyes.
Thank You O Lord for the numerous volunteers, those who labored to complete the projects and assignments that were given to them…for those who cleaned…for those who organized, and for all who offered their prayers up to you for the completion of this Holy House.
Thank You O Lord for my parish councils, both those who served and those who are serving, who have had to work through and deal with things that they didn’t sign up for.
Thank You O Lord for my family, who had to also endure the stresses and anxieties of this unbelieving and faithless priest…who at times found himself in despair, but was constantly brought out of the pit of darkness by Your works, through the loving arms of his wife and his children.
Finally, Thank You O Lord…for the celebrations that are to take place…Great and Holy Pascha, Baptisms, Chrismations, Weddings, and beginning today, the celebration of the Eucharist and the partaking Thy Precious Body and Blood…
Continue to fill us all dear Lord with Your Tremendous Grace as we embark on this new chapter in the life of our community!