The Worship of God in Spirit

 Reflection on Today's readings, Thursday, 31st Week in Ordinary Time Year II, November 5th, 2020

Texts: 3:3-8a; Ps. 105:2-7; Luke 15:1-10

St. Paul, in today's first reading, tells us that our worship as Christians is in spirit, not in flesh. He says, "We are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh." The worship of God in spirit is a kind of worship that comes from within and filled with joy; it originates from the heart and out of love for God in gratitude for who he is and has been to us.  That is what St. Paul means when he says, "Sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs among yourselves, singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts, always and everywhere giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:19-20). Such worship requires freedom. 

The worship of God in spirit requires that we know who him. When we know God we will devote ourselves to him. Hence, St. Paul says, "Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." St. Charles Borromeo says, "Brother, when you administer the sacraments, try to understand what it is you are doing. When you celebrate mass, consider what it is you are offering. And, singing in choir, remember to whom you are speaking and what you are saying to him. If you are in charge of souls, remember in whose blood they have been washed. Let all that you do be done in love." 

We worship God in spirit when we worship him with our whole hearts, our whole might and our whole souls. The worship of God in spirit requires active and conscious participation.

The worship of God in spirit has the motive of being with God. It is the fruit of the desire to be with God: "One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" (psalm 27:4). The worship of God in spirit brings about the foretaste of eternal life, the eternal beholding of God. If we do not have the desire to be with God, the worship of God in spirit will be difficult to attain.

The worship of God in spirit is inspired by the Holy Spirit; the desire to be with God is the fruit of indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that pours into our hearts the love of God (Rom. 5:5).

 The worship of God in flesh comes about when our worship of God has worldly motive, like search for miracle, quest for worldly power, position, fame, authority etc. 

We worship God in flesh when our worship is deprived of love for God and based on fulfilment of law or in subservience to someone. It is a worship of law or man rather than God. Such a worship is not from a free and joyful heart. This is the kind of worship that St. Paul condemns. Though we might devote a lot of energy and time to it, it is still not a worship in spirit. The worship in spirit is done with thanksgiving, joy and freedom.

Jesus Christ, in today's gospel reading, reminds us that God does not want anyone to be lost; he wills that everyone is saved and come to  know him. God wants to be worshipped in spirit everywhere on earth. It is a great joy in heaven when a sinner repent and gives worship to God in spirit.

Lord our God, help us to worship you in spirit and truth that we may run our heavenly race not in vain. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke